Christmas Racing at Kempton Park

Boxing Day at Kempton Park is an institution. Since the first running of the King George VI Chase in 1937, this has been the day when jump racing takes centre stage in the British sporting calendar, and the tradition has only grown stronger with each passing decade.

The day begins early for those attending. Gates typically open two to three hours before the first race, and regulars know that arriving early is essential — not just for parking and position, but to absorb the building atmosphere. There's a palpable sense of anticipation at Kempton on Boxing Day morning that you don't get at ordinary meetings. People are excited, slightly giddy from Christmas Day, and ready for something special.

The racing programme usually features six or seven races spread across the afternoon, with the first race going off around midday and the King George itself typically scheduled for the mid-afternoon slot — usually around 3:00pm. This timing is deliberate: it allows the race to be the centrepiece of the afternoon's television coverage, catching the post-lunch audience at the point when families have cleared the plates and settled in front of the TV.

The atmosphere in the grandstands for the King George is extraordinary. The crowd, which regularly exceeds 15,000 on Boxing Day, generates a wall of noise as the runners jump the last fence and turn for home. Win or lose, the reception for the competitors is warm and genuine — there's a generosity of spirit on Boxing Day that you don't always find at more pressurised meetings. People cheer good jumping, applaud brave performances and celebrate the simple pleasure of watching exceptional horses do what they do best.

The day extends beyond the final race. Kempton's bars stay open after racing, and many racegoers linger to discuss the day's events, compare notes on their betting fortunes and soak up the last of the festive atmosphere. The train back to Waterloo is invariably full of animated conversation about the King George and whether the winner will follow up at Cheltenham in March.

For those who can't attend, the television coverage is comprehensive. ITV Racing broadcasts the full Boxing Day card live, with extensive build-up and analysis that makes the King George one of the most-watched horse races of the year outside of the Grand National and the Derby. The betting shops are open, the online bookmakers are in full swing, and the King George typically generates one of the highest betting turnovers of any race in the calendar.

The 27th of December offers more racing for those who want to extend the Christmas meeting experience. The second day's card is less high-profile than Boxing Day but still features competitive races, and the atmosphere retains a festive character. It's also a good option for those who prefer a slightly less crowded experience — attendances on the 27th are lower, tickets are cheaper, and the racing is still genuinely good.

The Boxing Day card at Kempton is consistently one of the strongest of the entire jumps season, and it goes far beyond the King George itself. Understanding the full programme helps you plan your day — and your betting — more effectively.

The King George VI Chase (Grade 1, 3 miles)

The headline act. A three-mile championship chase that attracts the best steeplechasers in training. Typically a field of six to ten runners, many of whom are previous Grade 1 winners. The race carries a prize fund that usually exceeds £250,000 and serves as the defining mid-season test. For a full analysis of the race, its history and its betting angles, see our King George VI Chase guide.

The Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1, 2 miles)

The day's other championship event, and a race of genuine significance. The Christmas Hurdle regularly attracts the best two-mile hurdlers in training, and the winner often goes on to contest the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. It's a race that rewards speed and class — Kempton's flat track is perfect for sharp-jumping, pacey hurdlers, and the form produced here is among the most reliable of the season.

Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 3 miles)

Named after Kempton's greatest champion, this Grade 1 novices' chase is one of the most important races for young steeplechasers. The three-mile trip and championship conditions provide a stern test for novices, and the winners regularly graduate to run in the RSA Chase or the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. It's a race that repays close attention — these are the stars of tomorrow.

Supporting Handicaps

The Boxing Day card also features several valuable handicap races over fences and hurdles, and these are where much of the betting action lies. The handicaps attract large, competitive fields and often produce thrilling finishes, with in-form horses from the leading yards competing against each other at close to level weights. For punters, the handicaps offer the best opportunities for finding value, as the bigger fields create more scope for market inefficiency.

The 27th December Card

The second day of the Christmas meeting features a supporting card that's less star-studded than Boxing Day but still contains plenty of competitive racing. Expect a mix of conditions races and handicaps, often featuring horses that were being kept back from Boxing Day's more demanding contests. The racing is genuine, the prices are lower, and the experience is more relaxed — a good option for anyone who wants the Christmas Kempton experience without the full Boxing Day intensity.

The atmosphere at Kempton on Boxing Day is unlike anything else in the racing calendar. It shares the quality of other big National Hunt occasions — the buzz before the first race, the building tension as the big one approaches, the roar of the crowd as the field jumps the last — but it adds something uniquely festive that lifts the whole experience into a category of its own.

The crowd is part of what makes it special. On a normal midweek meeting, Kempton draws a couple of thousand regulars. On Boxing Day, the attendance swells to 15,000 or more, and the demographic shifts dramatically. The hardcore racing crowd is still there, of course — these are the people who've been coming every Boxing Day for years and can tell you exactly where to stand for the best view of the last fence. But alongside them are families, groups of friends, couples on dates, teenagers dragged along by their parents, and visitors from overseas who've heard about the King George and decided to experience it for themselves.

The effect is an atmosphere that's warm, inclusive and genuinely exciting. People are in a good mood — they're on holiday, they've survived Christmas Day, and they're doing something fun and different. Strangers talk to each other in the bar. Children watch the horses in the parade ring with wide eyes. Groups of friends huddle together in the cold, sharing a hip flask and debating who's going to win the King George. There's laughter, there's banter, and there's the kind of communal enjoyment that reminds you why live sport matters.

The festive touches help. Mulled wine stalls appear alongside the usual bars. Some racegoers wear Christmas jumpers or Santa hats. The course is decorated with seasonal lights and greenery. None of it is overdone — Kempton isn't trying to be a Christmas market — but the subtle festive dressing adds to the sense of occasion.

When the King George itself goes off, the atmosphere reaches its peak. The crowd presses forward against the rail, conversations stop, and for three minutes everything else disappears. The cheering builds as the runners jump the last, reaches a crescendo as they hit the line, and erupts into celebration — or groans of despair — as the result becomes clear. Win or lose your bet, there's an intensity to that moment that stays with you. It's the reason people come back year after year, and the reason the Kempton Christmas meeting endures as one of the great occasions in British sport.

A successful Boxing Day at Kempton requires a bit of planning. This is one of the busiest meetings of the year, and advance preparation makes the difference between a smooth, enjoyable experience and a frustrating one.

Tickets

Book early. Boxing Day tickets go on sale through the Jockey Club website in the autumn, and the Premier Enclosure and hospitality packages can sell out months ahead. Grandstand tickets are more readily available but still benefit from advance purchase — you'll save a few pounds compared to the gate price and guarantee entry on a day when capacity can be stretched. Typical prices range from £25–35 for Grandstand and £35–50 for Premier. Children aged 17 and under go free with a paying adult.

Getting There

By train: South Western Railway runs services from London Waterloo to Kempton Park station on Boxing Day, but on a reduced holiday timetable. Trains typically start later (around 8:00–9:00am) and finish earlier than normal. Check the exact timetable well in advance and book tickets online if possible. The carriages fill up quickly, so travel early for comfort.

By car: Parking at Kempton is free, but on Boxing Day the car parks reach capacity. Aim to arrive at least an hour before the first race — ideally earlier. The course is well-signposted from the M3 (Junction 1) and the A308. Sat-nav postcode: TW16 5AQ. Expect heavier traffic than a normal midweek meeting, though Boxing Day roads are generally quieter than regular working days.

What to Bring

Warmth is the priority. You're standing outdoors in late December, and Kempton's position in a flat Thames valley means the wind can be cutting. Thermal layers, a warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves are essential. Waterproof boots or shoes are strongly recommended — even if rain isn't forecast, the ground can be muddy and cold underfoot. A hip flask of something warming is traditional and entirely acceptable.

Bring cash as well as cards for the bookmakers and smaller food stalls. A portable phone charger is useful if you're betting on your phone — cold weather drains batteries fast. And pick up a racecard at the entrance for the full form details.

Timing Your Day

Gates typically open two to three hours before the first race. The first race on Boxing Day is usually around midday, with the King George scheduled for mid-afternoon. Plan to arrive by 11:00am at the latest to settle in, get a drink, study the card and watch the early races without feeling rushed. The last race is usually around 4:00–4:30pm, and the bars remain open for a while afterwards.

If you're making a weekend of it, attending both Boxing Day and the 27th gives you two days of good racing. Hotels in the Sunbury and Shepperton area book up, so arrange accommodation early if you're staying overnight.