the racecourse was the idea of 19th-century businessman (and conservative party agent) s. h. hyde, who was enjoying a carriage drive in the country when he came across kempton manor and park for sale. hyde leased the grounds as tenant in 1872 and six years later in july 1878 kempton opened as a racecourse. this was the feudal lord's demesne of a manor recorded in the domesday book and has had at least four variant names but though early victorian gateposts exist, no buildings of the manor house remain.