Sandown Racecourse, located in Surrey, is a favourite among the racing fraternity and hosts excellent National Hunt and Flat action. The feature race of the Flat season is the Group 1 Eclipse, while the Grade 1 Tingle Creek for speedy two-milers spearheads the jumps season.
The Flat course at Sandown is a right-handed track and oval in shape equalling a total distance of thirteen furlongs and features a steady half a mile uphill finish, testing the stamina of horses late on. The five furlong sprint track runs across the main circuit and there is a steady rise in ground.
The National Hunt course is unique and famous for its `railway fences? three of the seven fences in the back straight which come thick and fast. It is a right-handed galloping track with an uphill finish and horses who perform well at the track often run well at Cheltenham.
Sandown Park was the first purpose built racecourse established in 1875 and was the first course to charge entry for spectators at the value of half a crown.
It became known for its national hunt meeting staged over three days in April where its feature race was the Grand International Steeplechase. The popular contest was worth more to the winner than the Liverpool Grand National in its first year and was the most valuable race staged that season.
The track became a favourite of the the Queen Mother?s and it is known as one of the most prestigious venues in the UK