16th April Update

We did have two potential runners today but neither was declared. Surrey Mist is in great shape but we were assured that Hurricane Lane was running at Longchamp today so we decided that to run for 2nd wasn’t worth the trip and didn’t declare – guess what – Hurricane Lane didn’t either. Very frustrating and watching the race this afternoon (the winner finished 5 lengths behind us last race at St Cloud) we certainly missed out on a very good pay day but we have to move on. We have two potential races for him next weekend, the Group 3 John Porter at Newbury (although Hurricane Lane, plus Yibir, will probably be rerouted to Newbury) on Saturday or the Group 2 Carl Jaspers Preis in Cologne on Sunday where we could face Group 1 winning Tunnes. 

https://www.deutscher-galopp.de/gr/renntage/rennen.php?id=1340968&d=20230423&s=A

We had a fantastic few days this week in Chantilly which was only a leisurely 2.5 hour drive from Calais. There were plenty of decent brasseries which we obviously had to check out! We visited two young Irish trainers. Tim Donworth and Gavin Hernon, who are both making great progress there, both have very differing styles. The gallops are superb, although very flat compared to Newmarket or Lambourn, wide boulevards, some running up to 5km long! The biggest appeal, however, is the prize money, which is so much better than in the UK plus an additional 80% premiums on top for French bred horses, with comparable costs. It’s costs about £6k to take a horse to race in France from the UK so that’s fairly expensive plus we are very conscious that owners bought into the UK syndicates to see there horse run here in the UK. However it’s hard to ignore the opportunity, one decent handicap win covers a year of training fees, so we will be putting a proposal together later in the year for anyone who may be interested having a horse based in France. Feel free to get in touch with any questions in the meantime. 

One example, is Surrey Noir, who is nearly ready to run again but options are limited through April. Charlie has highlighted three races as the next target and will make entries into all three, at Chelmsford on the 27th, Doncaster and Chantilly on the 28th. Charlie, by his own admission, is risk adverse when it comes to running horses abroad especially this early on in Noir's careers where he's still trying to get a grasp of how good he is, so France is the least likely option of the 3. It does highlight the excellent prize money over there though where the winner of that maiden would receive E24k (with premiums) compared to £4k here. Doncaster is favoured but if the ground isn't good enough then Chelmsford on the all-weather is the fall back. 

As well as Surrey Mist possibly running next weekend, we also should see the reappearance of Surrey Charm who will have entries at Nottingham’s evening meeting on Saturday and Windsor the following Monday. It’s going to be great seeing her back on the track and it will be interesting to see how she goes for her new trainer. Another who is back is Surrey Knight who had a clear scan and returned to Newmarket on Friday. Charlie will take it very easy with him for a few weeks while he gets used to being back but then can push on getting him race ready.

Plenty happening over the next few weeks as the flat season really starts to kick into action. The first breeze up sales start tomorrow with the Craven Sale and we will be actively looking for a 2 year old to go into training with Tom Clover although we do feel we are more likely to be buying from the Guineas sale on May 4th.   

Good luck to the Mist and Charm owners this week !! 

Possible races and events

2023 
April
Saturday 22nd – Surrey Charm – Nottingham
                             Surrey Mist – Newbury – Gr 3 John Porter
Sunday 23rd- Surrey Mist – Cologne -  G2 Carl Jaspers Preis
Monday 24th – Surrey Charm – Windsor
Thursday 27th – Surrey Noir - Chelmsford
Friday 28th – Surrey Noir – Doncaster
Friday 28th – Surrey Noir, Chantilly
May
Saturday 13th – Knight and Noir Owners visit to Charlie Fellowes
Sunday 14th – Mist and Force owners invited to Kevin’s Spring BBQ
Tuesday 16th – Surrey Racing Golf Day
Saturday 20th – Fire, Belle and Charm Owners visit to Hughie Morrison’s