End of August update
A busy week as we cope with the fall out of the past few weeks injuries, retirements and changes. First and foremost is to ensure the welfare of our horses so this seems a good time to give a plug for Dom, one of the Surrey Knight owners, who is running a half marathon on 4th Sept for Racing Welfare so if anyone wants to donate to the good cause then the link below.
We went to Newmarket on Friday to make sure Surrey Mist had settled in well and to visit Kevin Philippart de Foy’s 2 yards!
Kevin has one yard called Machell Place Stables (formerly home to Peter Chapple-Hyam) that runs alongside Warren Hill for 40 horses, and he’s just taken the lease on David Elsworth’s old yard by the July course where he can house another 40. Egerton House Stables was host to some very famous names including Persian Punch and is a sea of calm at what is a very bustling HQ. Surrey Mist arrived Thursday and then on Friday had his first ever experience of road walking along Newmarket’s busy high street, plus his first gallop up the open expanse of Warren Hill. He took it fairly well and now he’ll be given time to settle in before racing again on softer ground.
We paid Charlie a short visit and timed that well to be there at the same time as the vet who gave Surrey Noir the all clear to resume training after an 8 day break due to a bruised foot. He’ll miss the date with Ascot next week but will be making his debut in 2-3 weeks time with Newbury on Friday 16th as my uneducated guess! The main target this year remains the Listed 2 Year Old Trophy at Redcar. Charlie is extremely happy with him, he’s got some pace so 6 furlong is a good starting point but he’s a big strong horse and everything about this year is getting him ready for what we hope will be a very exciting 3 year old campaign. Despite all the recent disappointment, we may have struck lucky again!
It was then off back home (completing a 250 mile drive) via Adstone to see Surrey Fortune who is looking very well and piling on the pounds. Billy has completed his yard now and it looks great, see some images on his new website https://billyaprahamian.racing/ Surrey Fortune will start on the walker and stay out in the paddocks for a while yet especially with some lush grass hopefully on it’s way soon. We will arrange a visit in due course, possibly tying that in with a visit to see Surrey Knight who is around the corner from Billy’s (a 12 minute drive).
Surrey Charm has arrived safely at Langshot Stud and seems to have settled in well. You may recall that Langshot Stud is where Charm, Belle and Noir spent time immediately after the sales. Langshot have access to a very good vet called Pat Sells, who works for Chasemore Farm. He examined Charm on Thursday and noticed immediately that she was 2 out of 5 lame behind and that there was tightness and tenderness in the pelvic and “hamstring” areas. He is 95% certain that she has a stress related injury at the top of the hind near leg. This is not particularly serious if spotted and reasonably common in two year old horses but almost certainly explains the poor run at Kempton. The rehabilitation is 3-4 months rest. She is a very athletic horse but just needs time to grow, strengthen and mature. Now that she has a handicap mark (58) she can have a proper break over the winter and there is little doubt we will see a much stronger horse next year. The good news is that she is well in herself and her front legs seem fine, with no evidence of having banged herself coming out of the stalls (a point confirmed by Trevor).
We hope to catch up with Nicky H and Hughie in the next week or so to hear the plans for Surrey Quest, Gran Luna ( the intention is to send her to the Breeding Stock sales in November) and Surrey Belle plus we want to set a date where we can take the owners along to see their horses and maybe a goodbye to GL.
Toby has an owners event on Friday 16th September so a good chance to see the horses parade there while supping a glass of champagne – we’re sure Surrey Lord will be the stand out looker !
This week we are flying out to Baden Baden for the yearling sales where we will hopefully find the next Surrey Racing dream. The intention is for the first yearling to go into training with Tom Clover, and the next with Hughie Morrison. We are still thinking about having a horse in training in France as well but as always, we will only buy if we find the right horse at the right price.
Possible races and events
September
Friday 2nd – Baden Baden yearling sale
Friday 16th – Toby Lawes Open Day
October
Saturday 1st – Surrey Noir – Redcar – William Hill 2 Year Old Trophy
Friday 21st – Cheltenham - Discover Ownership Day
Saturday 22nd Surrey Belle – Newbury
Cheltenham - Discover Ownership Day
November
Friday 18th – Ascot - Discover Ownership Day
Saturday 19th Ascot - Discover Ownership Day