Racecourse celebrates 150 years with exhibition
Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, is celebrating 150 years since it was founded in 1875 with exhibits showing the origins of the racecourse, its royal links and the part it played in developing modern horse racing.
The course, the first purpose-built venue with paid admission and enclosures, is the centre of the exhibition at the House of Killik in Esher High Street, which runs until 31 October.
Sarah Drabwell, general manager of Sandown Park, said the racecourse was "hugely proud to have been part of the local Elmbridge community for the past 150 years".
In 1875, Sandown's entry fee of at least half a crown made it one of the first courses to charge racegoers to attend its events.
During World War One and Two the racecourse was sown with crops to support war efforts, while housing the Royal Engineers during World War One and the Welsh Guard during both conflicts.
The course continued to make history when, in 1948, it hosted the first ever televised horse race.
In 1957, Sandown also hosted the first sponsored race in British history.
Nowadays, the venue also hosts music events, exhibitions and has its own golf course.
A spokesperson for Elmbridge Museum, which helped to create the exhibition, said: "One hundred and fifty years is a momentous milestone and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage, defining moments, and communities that have shaped the racecourse over the years.
"We hope visitors enjoy exploring its fascinating story and legacy, and we're grateful to Killik for kindly hosting the display at their premises."
Money from the exhibition will also raise money for The Community Fund, a new charity which aims to pool funds for projects in Elmbridge.
Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Sandown Park marks anniversary with charity fund
Racecourse hosts four-day charity walking challenge
Related internet links
Sandown at 150
Elmbridge Borough Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Closest thing to Jimmy' - young quick Baker shines for Originals
The Hundred men's competition, Emirates Old Trafford Manchester Originals 163-6 (100 balls): Buttler 46 (37); J Overton 2-26 London Spirit 153-6 (100 balls): Warner 71 (51); Tongue 3-29 Manchester Originals won by 10 runs Scorecard. Table Captain Phil Salt compared 22-year-old fast bowler Sonny Baker to England great James Anderson after he shone in Manchester Originals' 10-run win over London Spirit at Old Trafford. Baker began Spirit's chase of 164 with five dots and conceded only four runs when asked to bowl the first 10 deliveries. He troubled two international greats in David Warner and Kane Williamson, who have a combined 38,000 international runs to their name, with swing and lively pace. That helped limit the Spirit's scoring and, despite Australian Warner hitting 71, the hosts, who left out Anderson after defeats in their opening two games, were always in control. Warner was caught down the leg side off England seamer Josh Tongue with 38 needed from 15 and Baker returned to dismiss Australia international Ashton Turner for 13 - a deserved reward for a fine spell that cost only 22 runs. "He was outstanding," Salt told Sky Sports. "Jimmy had a rest today but that is the closest to what he did, if not better. It will be hard to pick seamers for the next match." Anderson also praised the highly-rated Baker, who was awarded an England development contract earlier this year despite having never played a County Championship match at that stage. "I have seen a lot of footage of Baker but not seen a lot of him live," Anderson told Sky Sports. "I have been so impressed. "Tonight he bowled outstandingly well. He has got pace, skill, swings the ball both ways. He has a lot going for him." Earlier another talented youngster, 20-year-old Durham batter Ben McKinney, crashed three sixes in a 12-ball 29 on debut to give the hosts a fast start. From there, contributions of 31 from Phil Salt, 46 from Jos Buttler and 24 by Heinrich Klaasen helped the Originals post 163-6. 'The closest thing to Jimmy' Having missed last year's competition through injury, Baker took 2-26 in the Originals' opening match of the tournament. His performance on Monday night again showed why he is so highly rated - and why he was retained by the Originals despite having only 10 T20 Blast matches to his name at the start of this season. Though others have higher top-end pace, Baker has the second-highest average speed in this year's Hundred at 85.6mph. He was around and above that mark to Warner early on, while also finding significant movement to beat the left-hander with each of his opening three deliveries. After conceding 10 from his first 15 balls, all that was missing from his spell was a wicket. That came when he bowled quickly into the pitch, Turner was hurried and the right-hander skewed a catch into the leg side. While England international Tongue finished with 3-29, it was Baker who was awarded player of the match. "In the first game, opening the bowling with Jimmy Anderson from the Jimmy Anderson end was surreal," Baker said. "I loved every part of it." He described his plans with the new ball as "just trying to bowl fast and swing the new ball". "Especially against the left-handers, my preference is to go away from them," he added. "I was nervous to go too wide [to Warner]. He is a really tough competitor and has been one of the best in the world for a long time. "He picks up really well if you get too straight and cuts well if you are too wide so you have a small margin for error. I really enjoyed the challenge." How big is Baker's future? Baker was awarded his national development contract after a successful winter with the England Lions. He took eight wickets in two red-ball matches in Australia where he impressed the England hierarchy, including Lions coach Andrew Flintoff. That he was given an England contract so early - he had not played a County Championship match before this summer - shows how highly England rate him. Having moved to Hampshire from Somerset at the end of last season, he then took his first County Championship five-wicket haul against champions Surrey in his second match in April. While a call-up for the Ashes this winter appears fanciful, he will likely be part of the Lions group which will shadow the full side in Australia before Christmas. Should injuries hit, a call-up is not impossible. Before then, England's white-ball teams play South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ireland and New Zealand when the current Test bowlers' workloads will be closely managed. More success in The Hundred would put Baker in the mix for one of those squads. The Hundred tables, top run-scorers & wicket-takers Harris steers leaders Spirit to another Hundred win The Hundred 2025 - fixtures, results & reports What is happening on Tuesday? Birmingham Phoenix, still searching for their first win in the men's competition, host Oval Invincibles on Tuesday from 18:30 BST. You will be able to watch both the women's (15:00 BST) and the men's games live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Get cricket news sent straight to your phone
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Saelemaekers on ‘different feeling' with Modric and new Leao role
Alexis Saelemaekers could 'feel something different' from the first Milan training session with Luka Modric and believes Rafael Leao's new role is 'amazing.' The Rossoneri had some ups and downs in pre-season, but while the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea was a setback when down to 10 men, it did mark the debut of star signing Modric. Saelemaekers explained his thoughts on the arrival of the former Real Madrid hero and Ballon d'Or winner. Modric and Leao impressed Saelemaekers LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Luka Modric of AC Milan controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by) 'From the first training session, he is a player that you really feel he has something different and we are really happy to have him with us,' the Belgian told The Italian Football Podcast. 'We hope he is going to do good things with us and we will help him as much as we can to make him shine on the field.' Along with the introduction of Modric, new coach Max Allegri has also changed the position for Rafael Leao. The Portuguese talent has gone from winger to centre-forward and had some impressive performances over the summer. 'The coach has to decide what is his best position but I think that he played amazing in this position in pre-season, in every game he played,' added Saelemaekers. 'He is a very important player for us and, just like with Luka Modric, we will work hard for him to make him shine on the field. I hope he will have an incredible season.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Raskin affected by 'uncertainty' over Rangers future
Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin has been impacted by "uncertainty" over his future at the club, according to head coach Russell Martin. The Belgium international has been linked with big money moves away from Ibrox and Martin concedes that contact from external parties has had an effect. "There's been a bit of uncertainty about him this summer, for sure," Martin said before Tuesday's second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie at Viktoria Plzen. "Not from people ringing us, but I think from people ringing him, definitely. "I think that's affected his approach, not in terms of professionalism and stuff, but he's a young man, of course it's going to have an impact at some point." Rangers 'can't ease off' despite three-goal lead - Martin 'No quick fix' as Martin faces familiar Rangers problems Martin 'won't lose sleep' over Rangers team leak Raskin started the first three games of Rangers' season, but was left out of the starting XI for the first leg of the tie against Viktoria Plzen, which Martin's side won 3-0 at Ibrox. The 24-year-old was again benched for Saturday's Premiership match against Dundee, but impressed as a substitute in the 1-1 draw. Martin expressed his delight at how Raskin has responded to being dropped. "He came out of the team for reasons that me and him spoke about, and his reaction has been top, like really, really brilliant," he said. "He's a really fantastic player, and he's a young man that I'm getting to know all the time, and actually I really like his character and personality. "It's my job to make sure, playing for this football club, whoever you are, the demands are really clear, in whatever position you play." 'Hopefully we can get to end of window' When asked if he expects Raskin to stay at Rangers beyond this summer, Martin said it would take a "mind-blowing" offer for the Ibrox club to consider selling one of last season's standout performers. "I don't think we're in a position where we have to sell anyone," Martin said. "I don't think we're in a position where we want to lose some of the best performers last season, that we think can become really top performers for us moving forward. "Unless someone comes in and blows our minds and everyone decides, the player, the club, that it's the best for everyone - and then we can make sure we're in a position to replace them with someone else. "It's the same for any club in world football now. I don't think there is a club that's immune to that really. "Hopefully, we can get to the end of the window. He's played brilliantly. The window shuts, he's still here, and then we can keep improving and keep kicking on." Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Rangers news notifications in the BBC Sport app
