The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and a pint at Sandown?

In The Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Sandown

Sandown

Date visited: Thursday, May 26, 2022

Was it a big day?

Absolutely. The best evening meeting of the year on the Flat in Britain, featuring the Group 3 Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes, the Group 3 Coral Henry II Stakes and the Listed Coral National Stakes.

How much was entry on the gate?

A reasonable £15 for the grandstand enclosure and £25 for the premier, with children going free in both enclosures.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

No chance of going thirsty or hungry at Sandown. The vast hall on the ground floor of the grandstand caters for just about everyone.

The 'Food Market' offered a choice of Chicken Rogan Josh, with rice, naan and samosa (£9.50), signature fish and chips (£11) or a trio of sausages with mash and veg (£9.50). Other options included The Racing Pie Company, offering a decent selection of pies with potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and, surprisingly in the south, gravy at a cost of £9.

The coffee house, unsurprisingly, served up the usual array of hot drinks and sandwiches, while the Ember, Hops & Craft, Brigadier Gerard, Diamond Edge and Chasers bars were all well stocked with alcoholic beverages, as was Sandown's swanky champagne bar.

Less choice outside by the paddock, where breaded Whitby scampi and chunky chips would set you back £10. Curiously the only place offering burgers (£10) and hot dogs (£8) was the paddock-side coffee van.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: £2.30
Cheapest pint: All £6.80
Guinness: £6.80
Champagne: Moet Brut £100 a bottle or Pannier Brut £70 (Prosecco also available at £42)
Burger: £10 for a plain or cheeseburger from the coffee van

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Expensive but nice. Served with plenty of fresh salad, onions and, for the adventurous, some delicious pickled red cabbage.

And the queues?

Admittedly I was an early bird but with so many bars open, the queues didn't seem to be too bad and, in general, appeared well staffed. Same goes for the food outlets, although drinks appeared to be more popular.

What did the punters say?

"It was definitely a quarter-pounder! I suppose £10 is quite a lot but it was filling and way better than your average burger van."
Patrick Turner, Esher

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