Switching the all-weather Flat fixtures from the profitable Surrey course to Newmarket could be the real prize in controversial scheme
When the Jockey Club announced last week that its 10-year plan involved the sale of Kempton Park for housing to help fund a new all-weather course in Newmarket, its officials bent over backwards to insist that the decision had been taken with a heavy heart.
Roger Weatherby, the senior steward, talked of showing “leadership with the assets we have” and taking “tough decisions to help our sport keep moving forward”. The loss of Kempton, he stressed, was painful, but the only way to raise £100m or more to put towards a bright new future.
Related: Kempton the victim as Jockey Club puts a price on ‘priceless’ heritage | Greg Wood
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