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  Tuesday, 25 June, 2002, 10:59 GMT 11:59 UK
King George could be moved
2001 King George VI winner Florida Pearl
Florida Pearl was the winner in 2001
The King George VI Chase could be set for a new home with the owners of Kempton racecourse in discussions to change to an all-weather surface.

The Boxing Day event is one of the highlights of the racing calendar, and Kempton has become synonymous with the famous steeplechase.

  Recent winners
2001 Florida Pearl 8-1
2000 First Gold 5-2
1999 See More Business 5-2 f
1998 Teeton Mill 7-2f
1997 See More Business 10-1
1996 One Man 8-13f
1995 One Man 11-4f
1994 Algan 16-1
1993 Barton Bank 9-2 jt f
1992 The Fellow Evens f
1991 The Fellow 9-4f
1990 Desert Orchid 9-4f

But it could soon be taken away as Racecourse Holdings Trust, who run Kempton, are in discussions about changing it to a premier all-weather track.

Should Kempton become an all-weather track the likelihood is that the King George VI will be moved to nearby Sandown, which is also run by Racecourse Holdings.

"We have a good business as it stands but we have to continue to look to the future," Kempton's executive director Julian Thick told BBC Sport Online.

"Going to an all-weather is one option we are thinking over but we're looking for the right solution and to say it has been decided already is jumping the gun.

"We've been reviewing the best way forward for some time now but at this stage we're merely looking at all the options.

"We will make further announcements when those decisions have been made."

Popular outing

The first running of the famous race was held at Kempton in 1937.

It was not run between 1939-1946 as Kempton was used as a reception centre for POWs during the Second World War.

It resumed in 1947 but was moved to a Boxing Day fixture, which has proved popular with racing fans.

It has been held every year since, other than when it had to be postponed due to bad weather or when it was abandoned due to foot and mouth in 1968.

Desert Orchid won the race four times in five years, including three in a row between 1988-1990, and a statue to 'Dessie' was erected near the paddock to pay tribute to the grey's achievements.

Meanwhile, Ascot racecourse is to unveil their plans for a major redevelopment on Thursday.

See also:

26 Dec 01 | Horse Racing
18 Dec 01 | Horse Racing
Links to more Horse Racing stories are at the foot of the page.


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