13th April Update

A slightly shorter version this week - a little like our experience in the Scottish Grand National. Surrey Quest jumped the first fence well but stumbled when landing and that was that - race over. Thankfully, he was fine afterwards, and he ran to Toby after less than a circuit so there is no reason he can't run again this season. Unfortunately, there aren't too many options left with the best two on Saturday May 3rd, either at Punchestown in a 0-145 handicap over 3 miles 7 furlongs, or Uttoxeter in the Staffordshire Plate. The Irish race is right-handed which he doesn't seem to relish whereas as the race at Uttoxeter is over 3 miles and he does prefer further. The weather also may dictate the choice as well. 

Surrey Fire is well, we did think about racing at Newbury yesterday, but the weather forecast / ground conditions weren’t too favourable, so he’ll now be looking at races towards the end of the month, potentially Haydock (26th) or Windsor (28th). Surrey Shadow, as we mentioned last week, will run again, ground permitting, at the start of May. 

We have nailed down the date to see Surrey Etoile, Saturday June 28th with a party of at least 9 owners heading over on the Friday for dinner, before a Saturday morning visit to see Etoile, followed by an afternoon at the races, with a card featuring two Class 1 races.

Etoile is very well but is going to be a big strong horse, so some patience maybe needed before we see his debut later in the year. Surrey King and Surrey Moon continue to please their respective trainers, we especially await with interest the appearance of Palace Pier’s first two-year-olds. Feedback has been positive from a few trainers, so hopefully that will be translated with good performances on the racecourse. 

Sea Presenting has been great following her injury and is certainly over the worse part of it, she will however stick to the treatment plan of box rest until the end of the month before going out into the paddock, she will be ready for the start of next season. Surrey Lord has had a few more coughs but appears well, we think it’s probably allergy related so it shouldn’t hold him back although those fellow hay fever sufferers out there will agree, it can lead to a bad day or two! Toby has a target race in mind for him, The ARC Summer Novices' Brush Hurdle Series Final (a novices' handicap hurdle) to be run over a distance of 2m 4f at Worcester on 26th September, there is a qualifier at Worcester on May 6th so if the ground is safe he will race in that and then have a summer break.  

The UK breeze up sales season starts this week with the Craven sale at Newmarket on Wednesday. We are searching for another two-year-old who will go into training with Tom Clover in Newmarket. Tom and Jackie have really impressed us in the short time that we have had horses with them, they are certainly going on to bigger and better things and we want to be a small part of that. If we buy, you’ll be the first to know, 

Enjoy the week ahead and a racing free Easter weekend. 

Possible races and events.                          

April
Saturday 26th - Surrey Fire – Haydock
Monday 28th – Surrey Fire - Windsor
May 
Saturday 3rd – Surrey Shadow – Newmarket
                          – Surrey Quest – Punchestown/Uttoxeter
Tuesday 6th - Surrey Lord - Worcester 
Saturday 10th – Surrey Shadow – Ascot
Tuesday 13th – Surrey Racing Golf Day, Silvermere Golf Club – 10.15 am
June
Saturday 28th – Owners visit to Chantllly