9th June Update
No racing this week but plenty of updates, the biggest change being Surrey Noir.
Surrey Noir got dropped 2 pounds by the handicapper for his disappointing run the previous week at Yarmouth. We all agreed that we needed to think commercially and focus on maximising the return over the next few months. Despite 3 poor runs this season, Charlie remains convinced that Surrey Noir is a far better horse than we are seeing on the track and It is his opinion that all Noir needs to get back to winning ways is a return to the all-weather, a decent draw and a bit of luck in running. Charlie’s thinking is that this would provide him with the opportunity to win a couple of races and we should sell him in the October sale. If this happened, he would likely fetch about £15- £18k, mitigated by training fees.
So after discussions with the owners, Charlie and Matt Coleman (the bloodstock agent that bought Noir), based on our intention to maximise the returns for the owners, we have decided to send Noir to be trained by Tim Donworth in Chantilly, and raced in France until he is sold towards the end of the season. Interestingly, if we sold him in the July he is likely to be bought by a French trainer to do exactly what we are proposing.
The logic for a move to France is as follows:
The prize money in France is better and Noir qualifies for French premiums, worth an additional 45% of any prize money won
The racing is less competitive, and races are run in a way that is likely to suit Noir, over 1200 metres (6.5f).
A change of scenery and training methods often freshens up horses
In addition to the option of selling him at auction, the French have very attractive claimer races where decent prices are obtained. The average price for a claimed horse is approximately £18,000, plus about £12,000 prize money for winning the race.
Obviously, it is disappointing to be talking in terms of the end game, as there is inevitably an emotional element to owning a racehorse. However, there is no point in “throwing good money after bad” and so ultimately decisions must be made to maximise the potential return whilst ensuring the welfare of the horse.
Charlie was very supportive and agreed that it was a sensible option. Charlie and Tim have also spoken and so Noir will likely move to France this week before being given a couple of easy weeks to let him settle in. Noir is pretty fit and so there is no reason why he can’t be back on the course in mid July. The racing programme works differently in France but Tim is putting together a plan and his initial thoughts are a race at Les Sables on July 20th, a conditions race for horses that haven’t won in the past 9 months over 1200m.
The other horses are all well and those who have issues are moving in the right direction. Surrey Charm resumed light work this week, it’s good to see her back out of her box and she’ll be slowly brought back to fitness for a run in August. Surrey Fire is now doing one warm up canter and then a 7f work out daily and if it goes to plan will be racing early July. Hughie has earmarked two potential races at Kempton or Newbury on July 10th/11th.
Surrey Belle is also well but there aren’t too many options to get her back racing quickly, the best options are possibly the turf at Lingfield at the end of the month or back to Nottingham in early July.
Surrey Mist is enjoying his gallops on Warren Hill, so far so good with him but no date set for a return yet. Wherever he returns, off his current handicap mark of 101 it’s not going to be an easy return! Mist’s stablemate Surrey Force is pleasing Kevin and he like our next runner with a date pencilled in for him at Leicester on June 27th. And finally of the flat horses, Surrey Shadow is enjoying himself, but Tom won’t rush him. He’s going to be given plenty of time to mature between races and so he’ll be aimed at Haydock on July 5th, his last novice race before he gets a handicap mark.
There’s no update of Surrey Lord, Surrey Fortune or Surrey Quest, but it won’t be long before their breaks are over and it starts getting more serious for them, news on them when something changes.
Royal Ascot is nearly upon us, sadly no Surrey Racing horses racing there this year, but Nicky is running her tipping comp as usual - £20 only and a fun way to be involved, send her a message or hassle04@icloud.com
Possible races and events
June
Thursday 27th Surrey Force – Leicester
Saturday 29th Surrey Belle - Lingfield
July
Tuesday 2nd – Arqana Breeze Up Sale
Friday 5th – Surrey Shadow - Haydock
Saturday 6th – Surrey Belle - Nottingham
Wednesday 10th – Surrey Fire – Kempton
Thursday 11th – Surrey Fire – Newbury
Saturday 20th – Surrey Noir – Les Sables