23rd March Update

It was great to catch up with the Surrey Fire and Surrey King owners at Hughie’s yesterday, especially nice to be greeted with tea/coffee and an assortment of home-made sausage roles and pasties! 

Surrey Fire has his shine back after suffering quite badly with infection following his gelding operation last Autumn. He’s being taught to settle and galloped strongly behind the 99 rated Kyle Of Lochalsh,  hopefully he can climb from his current 81 rating throughout the season. He could make his return at Newbury on April 12th in a 10-furlong 0.85 handicap, or if that comes a little too soon, he could squeeze into a 0-80 handicap at Haydock on Saturday 26th. If he does settle on the racetrack then he should stay further (his dam won the Cesarewitch in 2016) and we can build him up for one of the big handicaps later in the year, maybe the Ebor as a dream target. 

Surrey King had what Mary Morrison called ‘an owner’s gallop’ as he was asked for more than he usually does, but he looked great and is really starting to fill his frame although there’s a lot more bulking up to come. Palace Pier’s 2-year-olds seem to be getting good reviews from the trainers who have them so it will be interesting to see how they perform when they hit the track. Surrey King looks like he will be better as a three-year-old so we doubt Hughie will rush him to debut, but we’d hope we see him racing at the back end of the year. Palace Pier was a champion miler, but King’s dam, Highgarden, was a group 3 winner over 12 furlongs so we think he could stay further as he matures, however, time will tell. With Hughie mentioning entries to the 2026 Derby it’s no surprise that we have now fully sold out of Surrey King !! 

This week we could have two runners to look out for, plus there is also Scottish Grand National entries.  

Surrey Lord seems to be over his cough and has two entries later in the week in maiden hurdles. He’ll be checked on Monday to make sure he’s ok, and if so, he could run at either Southwell on Thursday, in the 4.05, over 2 miles, or Fontwell on Friday (3.10 over 2 miles and nearly 2 furlongs). There aren’t too many suitable options for Lord, and with some rain around this weekend hopefully keeping the ground safe these two races do offer a good opportunity to see him racing again.  

Surrey Quest is well and will be entered into the Scottish Grand National on Tuesday. We’ll be interested to see his potential rivals for the big race in April, hopefully a certain Irish trainer realises he can’t win the British Championship this year and leave his star string at home!  

Sea Presenting did have a brief walk from her box this week, she has improved hugely over the past week which is great news. However, Toby won’t take any chances, and she will continue with her planned box rest through to the end of April before a few months in the paddock enjoying the summer sun. 

No new news on the two over 2-year-olds, Surrey Moon and Surrey Etoile who continue with their education.  

Finally, it’s the start of the Flat season this week and it’s going to be fantastic to be involved on the very first day at Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting with Surrey Shadow racing back on the turf, over a new distance of a mile which is sure to suit him. We don’t think he will get in the Lincoln, if he does it will be such a competitive ask, but if he doesn’t, he will run in the silver Lincoln, which is called the Spring Handicap, off time at 1.50. If Shadow runs in the Lincoln, he will carry a 5-pound penalty but there is some confusion whether that penalty will be included on the consolation race, we won’t know until declarations on Thursday.   

Thanks to all those who put their name down for the Surrey Racing Golf Day, already we have 18 players so don’t forget to let me know if you wish to take part in what is always a fun day.   

Good Luck to the Surrey Lord owners should he run and wishing all those heading to Doncaster a very special day, the Lincoln, first run in 1853, is such an iconic race so it’s a real privilege to be part of.  

Possible races and events.                          

March
Thursday 27th – Surrey Lord – Southwell - 4.05
Friday 28th – Surrey Lord – Fontwell – 3.10
Saturday 29th – Surrey Shadow – Doncaster – 1.50 or 3.35
April
Saturday 12th – Surrey Quest - Ayr 
                               Surrey Fire – Newbury
Saturday 26th Surrey Fire - Haydock
May 
Tuesday 13th – Surrey Racing Golf Day, Silvermere Golf Club – 10.15 am