August 25th Update

It was fantastic to welcome back one of our legends on Friday with Surrey Mist returning after 16 months on the side-lines. He took part in the Lanark Silver Bell in a debut Surrey Racing outing at Hamilton who treated the owners really well. With the going turning to heavy before the off there was a worry that Mist’s lack of race time would be seriously put to the test in the attritional conditions. He ran very fresh as you would expect after a long lay off, with jockey David Allan fighting the reins for most of the race and so he did run out of puff close to the end, but he finished with his ears pricked only 7 lengths off the winner in 7th (one place out of the money). Mist was absolutely fine after the race which is great news, he will certainly come on for the run and will be competing in some big races, with the next possibility a Listed race at Chester on the 14th, or The Autumn Cup handicap at Newbury on the 21st.

Our other intended runner of the week was Surrey Belle, but unfortunately she picked up a cough so she missed her chance to run and that will probably set her back a couple of weeks.    

You all would have seen the midweek email re our new purchase, Surrey Etoile, who we very excited about. 5 of the 10 shares have already been snapped up in what is a new venture for all of us. The average race value in France is just under 25,000 euros, plus the added bonus of Owners' Premiums for French bred horses that finish in the first five places in any race which tops up the prize money makes it a worthwhile venture. Hopefully the second year of fees can be covered by at least some better prize money. It was interesting to note the figures at the Arqana Sale, the median was down 17.5%, with the average down 7%. The clearance rate was a low 77% as vendors were looking for bigger prices that weren’t forthcoming. Hopefully the median fall will be replicated at the other yearling sales in the next two months. 

Surrey Fortune is really progressing nicely, he’s a real character and loving life in Surrey. Toby has been amazed how much he has advanced in the past few weeks, the year off would have been good for him and it’s really exciting that both Fortune, and Surrey Lord, look like they could be special horses this coming NH season. Both look set to debut in about 7-8 weeks time. Surrey Quest is a little further behind on his reappearance, the feeling is that he’ll return in a 0-135 handicap at the start of November before we then look at the bigger races in the season ahead. 

Surrey Fire and Surrey Noir are well and set to race again (5th and 8th)  while Surrey Shadow will have his last few days of box rest and then he’ll start walking the streets of Newmarket. It’s great to see that Tom is have a real purple patch right now although frustrating we are not part of that.  

This week we could have 2 runners. We continue to look for softer ground but with another few weeks of sun forecast, Surrey Force will probably run at Kempton on Wednesday, in the lucky last at 8.30, a class 6 handicap over 12 furlongs with Benoit La Sayette booked to ride. He does have a preferred entry at Salisbury on Friday as well, tackling the longer 14 furlongs but we’d need the forecast to change before Kempton declarations on Monday.  

Also on Friday we could see the return of Surrey Charm after 325 days at Ffos Las which seems to be the one place that hasn’t avoided the rain! She has been dropped a pound since she’s been off to a new rating of 59.  Billy Loughnane has been booked for the class 6 handicap over 12 furlongs, it looks the perfect race for her comeback and despite the long layoff should be one of the favourites. The owners have been very patient so hopefully they will make the long journey West!  

Best wishes to all connections this week – two potentially great chances to strike gold.  

Possible races and events
August
Wednesday 28th – Surrey Force - Kempton 8.30
Friday 30th – Surrey Charm – Ffos Las 4.10
                       Surrey Force – Salisbury 7.43
September
Monday 2nd – Surrey Charm – Windsor
Thursday 4th – Surrey Force - Bath
Thursday 5th – Surrey Fire - Lingfield
Friday 6th – Toby Lawes Owner’s Open Day 
Sunday 8th – Surrey Noir - La Roche Posay
Saturday 14th – Surrey Mist - Chester
Saturday 21st – Surrey Force – Chester
                            Surrey Mist - Newbury
Saturday 28th – Toby Lawes SR Gallops