May 14th Update
We had two enjoyable visits to Newmarket this weekend where between us we saw all 5 horses we have in training there which was the start of a very busy 8 days, with the Golf Day on Tuesday (2 more player needed!) and then potential races at York on Wednesday, Salisbury on Thursday, Doncaster on Saturday, plus about 25 owners off to Hughie’s on Saturday morning to see the three there !
Surrey Shadow has settled in really nicely at Tom Clover’s. He’ll have a few weeks chilling after the rigours of the sale and then will start working again towards a run mid summer. He’s got a super temperament and taking everything in his stride, certainly transferable skills for the racecourse! It was good to see Territories having two big winners this weekend with Rebel Territory bolting up in the Victoria Cup at Ascot while Clyde trounced all in the Polish 2000 Guineas (you may have missed that one!).
The Arqana Breeze Up sale used to be our preferred route to buying but we’ve been priced out of that in the past few years. Incredibly yesterday’s sale was another record with the average up 15% to €150 789 and the median up 5% to €105 000, although with three Classic winners and 4 other Group 1 winning horses from last year’s Breeze Ups there’s no surprise that numbers were up again. Let’s hope that Surrey Shadow adds to those breeze up stats!
Surrey Noir worked too early for us to see him on the gallops yesterday morning as Charlie wanted him out on the fresh ground to avoid any issues with churned up grass as he is set to run at Doncaster evening meeting on Saturday. He will be entered tomorrow into the 6.50 class 5 novice stakes over 6 furlongs, with probably Callum Shepherd riding. With bigger race meetings at Newbury and Newmarket the top jockeys will be riding there and with jockeys only able to ride one meeting a day we’ll have to wait and see who is available.
Surrey Knight is also in great shape and stepped up his work this week, He was supposed to have 2 canters up the Long Hill grass gallop on Saturday. However after his first run, a string from William Haggis’ followed behind and unfortunately a young rider was thrown heavily to the ground and the gallop was closed while the jockey waited for the Heath Medic to assist. She was a bit battered and bruised but fortunately there wasn’t any serious damage. It mean Knight then had a spin up Warren Hill which he did under a very careful ride without over extending. That will carry on through May and June, small little steps forward.
Our first of three (hopefully) runners this week will be Surrey Mist who will be appearing in the first race at York’s Dante meeting on Wednesday. The 1.50 race is a class 2 handicap over 12 furlongs with Danny Muscutt again taking the ride. We’re hoping that Mist can get back on track after a couple of disappointing runs – the race live on ITV4.
The second runner of the week could be Surrey Belle who did a nice piece of work over a mile last week and although she didn’t show great pace she stayed on very well. Hughie has entered her for a race at Salisbury next Thursday, a class 5 novice over 10 furlongs for fillies only, with George Rooke is booked to ride. Hughie really thinks she wants further than 1m 2f and did contemplate a race at Newmarket on Saturday which is 1m 4f. However. Newmarket isn’t the easiest course for a horse making its grass debut so as long as the ground stays soft then she’ll head to Salisbury. Looking at the early entries, it’s full of blue bloods, it will be a seriously hot race if they all declare.
Surrey Force was shown off at Kevin’s today, he’s filling out and looks pretty strong for a two year old. He’s continuing the same routine though, another who is taking slow steps forward.
The three NH horses are now on their summer break and enjoying that. Jackie said of Surrey Quest that she’d never seen a horse so excited to be out in a field, he absolutely loves the freedom ! He’s had a full MOT and so we should have the vets report early next week.
Surrey Charm and Surrey Fire continues to work away, we are looking forward to seeing them and all those coming to Hughie’s next Saturday morning where we will get a more comprehensive update.
Good Luck to the golfers, the Mist, Belle and Noir owners – fingers crossed all competitors come back safely!
Possible races and events
2023
May
Tuesday 16th – Surrey Racing Golf Day - 10.15 (Silvermere Golf Club)
Wednesday 17th – Surrey Mist – York 1.50
Thursday 18th – Surrey Belle – Salisbury 4.20
Saturday 20th – Fire, Belle and Charm Owners visit to Hughie Morrison’s 09.30
Surrey Noir – Doncaster 6.50