Tingle” all the way to Sandown Park’s Christmas celebrations
Ho Ho Ho! Christmas comes early to Sandown Park Racecourse for the two day Tingle Creek meeting on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th December. In addition to the top quality racing, which includes the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase, there will be lots of Christmas entertainment for all the family to enjoy. And to get racegoers in the Festive mood, Sandown Park is pleased to announce that it has changed its admission policy to give free access to children under the age of 18, an extra reason to come and spend Saturday afternoon at the venue!
Traditional Horse and Sleigh rides will greet visitors to Sandown Park from the train station to transport them up to the racecourse to join in the festive fun and be welcomed by Father Christmas and his merry Sandown Park helpers! Walking into winter wonderland, carols will be echoing across the main entrance along with a complimentary mince pie on arrival*.
As an extra special treat, this year a life size Polar Bear puppet will be in the Esher Hall during the afternoon. The animatronic puppet, which is controlled remotely, allows the children to get up close and personal with these amazing animals, who have all the same characteristics as the real North pole inhabitants. The bear growls and grunts realistically and racegoers of all ages will be able to pat and stroke the amazing creature.
On the Saturday there will also be an ice rink in the Esher Hall, which no doubt will see some sore bottoms during the day! The ice rink, which is synthetic and almost identical to the real thing, is completely free of charge and all the equipment needed will be provided.
Childhood favourites from the popular Raymond Briggs books, Father Christmas and The Snowman, from will be at the venue on Saturday to bring even more Christmas merriment to the day. The children can also enjoy the chance to visit Santa in his Grotto where all young visitors will be able to choose a gift from the Lucky Dip and make their final Christmas gift wish and don’t forget children under 18 get in for free (accompanied by an adult) and there is a complimentary crèche as well.
At the end of the day, racegoers will have the chance to listen and join in singing some festive Christmas Carols with the ‘New London Singers’, one of London’s premier vocal ensembles and conducted by the legendary Ivor Settlefield. They have performed at many top London Venues and have won multiple prizes in national and international competitions – it is highly recommended that racegoers stay behind to listen to and join in with this amazing vocal ensemble.
The Tingle Creek weekend is widely credited as one of the racing calendar’s top events and the demanding Sandown Park course attracts many of the very best horses and jockeys. The feature race of the two days is the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Steeplechase, named in honour of one of the greatest two-mile chasers of all time. Champion racehorse, Master Minded, won the race last year and, if all goes to plan, he will be bidding to make it back to back wins in the high profile race.
The day appeals to all ages, both racing and non racing fans alike and is undoubtedly a great way to share the magic of the Festive Season. To book tickets please call Sandown Park on 01372 47 00 47 or visit www.sandown.co.uk. Don’t forget that as of November this year, children aged under 18 get in free of charge to the racecourse, with all additional entertainment free of charge as well – as recession busting way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
