16th March Update

No runners this coming week as the one possibility, Surrey Lord, still has a cough so hasn’t been entered anywhere. It’s not holding back his work, and he looks fine, his tracheal wash is clear so we’re not totally sure what the cause is. He has been moved to a different box to see if that helps but if it continues into the following week then he will have a deeper more invasive scope to see what may be troubling him.  

Sea Presenting has improved a fair amount in the past week, she doesn’t seem to have any trouble getting up and down in her box so that’s good. The next week is crucial but hopefully by the end of the week we can say she’s on the mend and no reason why she won’t be running again as soon as next season starts. She’s only going to miss one race, she remains a novice for all next season, so the targets remain the same. As we have said before, the break will be good for her, you’ll see a much stronger horse next season.    

Surrey Quest has had a week off after being trained to race a few weeks ago. He’ll have another easy week and then its all systems go to the National. The next Aintree scratchings are on Tuesday so we may see if there’s any chance of making Liverpool, it’s very doubtful though and Ayr remains the target. Incidentally, Kevin has failed his return to racing concussion test, so he has another week off. We wish him well and hopefully we will see him back riding next week. 

On Saturday we are looking forward to seeing about 15 of you at Hughie’s on Saturday to see Surrey Fire and Surrey King. If you haven’t let us know you wish to come, then please do let us know asap, and we will see those attending at 09.40 for tea/coffee before hitting the gallops at 10.00. We’ll watch the horses and when they are back in the stables after working, we’ll ask Hughie the plans for the season ahead. Remember there is just the one share left in King so if you are interested , come and see him next weekend?  

It was great that the flat season got underway in Ireland today, less than 2 weeks for the Uk’s start and Surrey Shadow is still on course for the opening fixture at Doncaster on the 29th. He did a pleasing gallop on the grass yesterday, and he’ll have one easier piece of work next Saturday, but it looks like the plan is coming to fruition which isn’t always the case !  Surrey Moon continues to tick over as he eases back into a tougher routine.  

Finally Surrey Etoile continues to grow and strengthen, Tim is very happy, and Etoile is doing everything that’s being asked of him. There are three shares still left for a well-bred horse who will make his debut at the back end of the season.     

In some other pleasing news, the rate of fatal injury in equine athletes for 2024 was 1.11 per 1000 starts, the lowest rate since the creation of the Equine Injury Database (EID) back in 2009, according to the initial data analysis from the 16th year of reporting to the EID. Based on the 2024 data, 99.89% of all flat racing stats at racetracks participating in the EID were completed without a fatality. Analysis of the EID, released Wednesday by The Jockey Club, was provided by Dr. Euan Bennett of the University of Glasgow and Professor Tim Parkin of the University of Bristol, who has been a consultant on the EID since its inception. “It is remarkable and indeed gratifying to see the sustained improvement in these figures,” Parkin said. “It is a credit to all involved in the industry that such a significant improvement in the risk of fatal injury can be achieved off the back of the establishment of the EID and, of course, alongside lots of hard work from very many parties.” 

For trends of the EID since 2009, please visit jockeyclub.com/pdfs/eid_16_year_tables.pdf. The list of racetracks participating in the EID and detailed statistics from those tracks that voluntarily publish their results can be found at jockeyclub.com/default.asp?section=Advocacy&area=11. 

Have a great week ahead and we’ll see those coming at Hughie’s on Saturday. 

Possible races and events.                          

March
Saturday 22nd - Surrey King/Surrey Fire @ Hughie Morrison stable Visit - 09.40                                
Saturday 29th – Surrey Shadow - Doncaster
April
Saturday 12th – Surrey Quest - Ayr 
May 
Tuesday 13th – Surrey Racing Golf Day, Silvermere Golf Club