13th October Update
Another busy week just gone with two trips to Yorkshire to see three of the horses running, two of them possibly for the last time in yellow and blue. We travelled to Pontefract on Monday for our first visit to the track and we weren’t disappointed. It’s a lovely course where everyone made us feel very welcome, especially at the entrance where a plaque on the wall welcomed us.
Surrey Force was the only 3-year-old in his race and we did have concerns that his physique may just leave him wanting over 2 miles 2 furlongs, but he was receiving age related weight from all and was backed to pre-race favourite. Mark Winn rode a very patient race and edged Force in front as the horses hit the home straight, but he just wasn’t strong enough to hold the lead and finished back in third. The front 3 were 12 lengths ahead of the rest so a pretty good effort from a horse who is now very consistent (top 3 last 4 runs) but is unfortunately still a maiden. The race did take a fair bit out of Force and having had 9 runs in the last 10 months, time is running out for one last run before the sales.
Yesterday we had two runners on York’s Premier card which again had packed bars and grandstands, with a great atmosphere. Unfortunately, a deluge of rain softened an already sticky track, and the races finished in slow motion! Both Surrey Belle and Surrey Fire were fancied to run well but both couldn’t handle the very testing conditions, and their respective jockeys nursed them home to finish down the field. A disappointing end of the season for them both that’s racing, and we’ll bounce back, both horses were well this morning which is credit to David Egan and Harry Davies. Surrey Belle will head to the sale now, with this race probably not denting her value, although we will find out in 2 weeks’ time! Surrey Fire won’t run again this season, he’ll probably be gelded and then have the winter off before hopefully reappearing on the all-weather in February/March. Harry Davies did comment that he feels Fire is a top of the ground horse, which is not new news, but Hughie has been protected Fire due to his physical immaturity, he won’t need to next year.
Surrey Charm came out of her last race in great shape, and we feel she can have one more outing so she will be aimed at Newbury on the 25th for her final run before the sales in a hands and heels apprentice only race.
Surrey Etoile has moved into Tim’s Chantilly base, and we are planning a trip to see him at the end of October, which will coincide with Surrey Noir’s next race at Chantilly on Tuesday 29th. We plan to travel out on Monday 28th in time for dinner. We will go to Tim’s yard on the Tuesday morning, see Etoile and visit the stunning boulevard gallops, before heading off for the afternoon race meeting, hopefully celebrating a Noir win into the evening, travelling back home Wednesday morning. If anyone is interested in buying into the France project, then feel free to join us.
We don’t have a runner this week but 11 of the Surrey Shadow owners are meeting at the Clover’s next Sunday for an end of season parade of horses with a light lunch and drinks, we are looking forward to seeing you there in Newmarket.
The NH horses are gearing up for their debuts/returns. Unfortunately, Surrey Fortune owners are going to need another week or two of patience as Toby feels that the prospected race on the 23rd has come around just a little quick for Fortune so he’ll be out in the first week of November now. There are quite a few options so we’ll see if we can pin down a couple of potentials in a few weeks’ time. Surrey Lord is being his usual boisterous self and showing everyone that he’s the boss, and Surrey Quest seems to have improved for the summer break.
Possible races and events.
October
Sunday 20th – Tom Clover Drinks and Horse Parade
Thursday 24th – Surrey Force – Nottingham
Friday 25th – Surrey Charm – Newbury
Monday 28th – Surrey Belle – Lot 232 at Tattersalls HIT Sale
Tuesday 29th – Surrey Noir - Chantilly
Surrey Etoile visit
Surrey Force – Lot 780 at Tattersalls HIT Sale
Thursday 31st – Surrey Charm – Lot 1256 at Tattersalls HIT Sale
November
Friday 1st – Surrey Lord - Uttoxeter
Sunday 17th – Surrey Quest - Cheltenham
December
Saturday 28th – Surrey Quest - Newbury