Tom Jones, The Jockey Club Live at Sandown Park Racecourse Review

DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.

Reviewed by Amanda Hayes

Last night we were lucky enough to attend one of The Jockey Club’s award winning special events, which are held at several racecourses across the country throughout the summer months. From family race days to music events & Ladies days, there is something for everyone.

The music events cover almost every genre up and down the Country with both big named artists and themed party nights, some starting in the afternoon, but the event we attended, Tom Jones: Live After Racing, was an evening performance at the beautifully kept Sandown Park Racecourse.

Sandown Park is easy to get to only a short walk to the nearest train station and easy access to the A3 via both London & the M25. If you are driving there are two car park options, both outside the ULEZ Zone, free parking in the centre of the course, or a £10 option right at the front of the course entrance. We opted for the £10 option as it was more convenient for us and although busy, had plenty of space and we had soon paid for parking, card payments only, and were being directed into a space. A couple of minutes’ walk takes you to a quick bag search and then into the main entrance where you can pick up tickets, leave your coat in the cloakroom and there are plenty of clean toilet facilities.

Straight out of the main entrance is the parade ring where we sat to view the horses prior to each race, its set in beautifully manicured lawns and has the real wow factor. There were 6 races last night, with the first race starting at 5.45pm. The gates open at 4.15pm so there is plenty of time to get food and drink from the plentiful supply of vendors, both inside and out on course, should you wish. Sandown Park has its own app that you can download from the app store/google play, where you can find the plan of the racecourse and the runners & riders, which I recommend downloading if you can, as it was really useful.

We drove up after work so although we missed the first race, it didn’t detract from the evening enjoyment, with five races left to run and the excitement of Tom Jones there was still plenty of fun to be had. You can place your bets both inside the main building and out on course then go up onto the grandstand seats to watch the race, where you get a great view of the whole course, backed up by a super large screen showing a close up of the horses running.

Unfortunately, we didn’t win a bean between us all night, but the British weather didn’t let us down, with a glorious warm and balmy summer evening perfect for watching the legend that is Sir Tom Jones. The timing was spot on with the racing finishing around 8.35pm & the concert starting around 8.55pm, there wasn’t any hanging around but time to get a quick drink & find a seat. You could choose to stand anywhere on course or use the seats in the public grandstand if you would rather sit, either way there was a great view of the stage, which also had 2 large screens, one either side and a large screen opposite the grandstand.

Well, what can I say about Sir Tom, apart from, absolutely amazing, he belted out almost 2 hours’ worth of fabulous hits from Sex Bomb to Deliah, gospel to rock and everything in between, everyone was singing, there was dancing in the aisles & the concourse, it was just a fantastic evening.

It is the first time we have been to a combined racing & music event & we wouldn’t hesitate to go again. I thought it was great value for money with advance tickets starting at £45 for the Grandstand & £159 for the Premier Enclosure which includes a 3 course meal. The Jockey Club are holding similar events throughout August, check out their website here: https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/ to find the full details.
I highly recommend a trip to Sandown or your local racecourse for one of The Jockey Clubs fabulous special events.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £42.00 at Sandown Park Racecourse & other Jockey Club Venues for more information or to book tickets visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk