In The Spotlight: All you need to know about Sandown Park Racecourse

Sandown Park is a top-class venue, staging the best of Flat and National Hunt racing year-round and is located just 15 miles from Central London.

Read on as we turn the spotlight on the famous racecourse — an attractive venue for city-based racegoers.

About Sandown

Sandown Park is situated in Esher in the Surrey countryside, a stone's throw from London. 

The racecourse is dual-purpose, holding high-class action both on the Flat and over jumps, ensuring action takes place all year round. 

There are five Grade 1 races over hurdles on the Sandown calendar as well as the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes on level ground. 

The Tingle Creek Festival in early December is one of the feature meetings of the British jumps season. 

About the racecourse

Sandown is a right-handed galloping racecourse that tends to present a decent test of stamina. 

The National Hunt course is renowned as one of Britain's finest jumping examinations. 

A line of seven obstacles on the back straight are known as the Railway Fences, with the final three tests coming up in quick succession. Getting into a strong rhythm is essential.

From the Pond Fence to the winning line is a steep climb and the low-lying nature of the course can often lead to testing ground, ensuring frontrunners do well at this track. 

The oval-shaped flat course features a half-mile home straight and is viewed as being very fair with an emphasis on stamina. 

Meanwhile, the five-furlong straight course is a real test for sprinters, rising steadily from start to finish. 

Famous Races

The races over jumps are headlined by the two-mile Tingle Creek in December. 

One of the jewels in the British National Hunt calendar, it has been won by the likes of Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre and Altior. 

That meeting also boasts the Henry VIII Novices' Chase, while further novice contests come via the Tolworth Hurdle (January) and the Scilly Isles Chase (February). 

The final day of the season meanwhile boasts the Celebration Chase — the last Grade 1 in the British season. 

On the level, the high summer feature is the Eclipse Stakes, a mile-and-a-quarter clash of Classic generation three-year-olds and their older rivals, often for the first time. 

Mill Reef, Dancing Brave, Halling, Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and Enable are all on the Eclipse honours' list. 

Enclosures

There are two main enclosures at Sandown Park — the Premier and Grandstand Enclosures. 

The Premier Enclosure, which is situated level with the winning post, offers full access to the Grandstand as well as access to exclusive bookmakers, catering facilities and bars, including the popular Moet and Chandon Champagne Bar and The Madri Lounge.

Meanwhile, the Grandstand provides a more relaxed atmosphere and dress code and has access to bookmakers, the Parade Ring, catering facilities and bars. 

The newest addition to Sandown's race-day experience is the 1875 Lounge — a chic, light and spacious area, designed to offer a modern and unforgettable racegoer experience with casual seating indoors and access to external grandstand seating to view the racing.