End of January Update
Yesterday morning 30 of us met up at Hughie’s to watch our string in action. Thankfully it was dry and after enjoying the Morrison’s hospitality we headed up to the gallops.
All three horses looked great and certainly better than the last time we saw them. Surrey Belle has really improved for her run at Kempton and looked even stronger yesterday. She will have a three week break through February and then prepared for the flat season with a potential run at Newbury or Sandown in April. She will need soft ground so there’s a chance that she will also have a mid summer break if last season’s weather is anything to go by.
Surrey Charm has just started doing small canters and Hughie finds her very straight forward. He feels she will take 3-4 months to come back into action after her fairly long break, so that’s April time. She’s totally sound and walks really nicely with what looks like a bit more growth the come. Hughie hasn’t taken a view on her ideal trip so it could be different to what she has run in the past but he’ll work her on his gallops and then decide.
Surrey Fire looks like he’s progressing nicely as well and looks a big scopey horse. He’s very laid back, almost lazy ! He’s doing one canter a day right now but that will increase to two in the spring. He will also have the odd week off as well so he’s not over trained and then come the summer we should be able to start making plans for his debut which will be over a mile in September at the earliest.
No change on the Newmarket horses. We are going to try to arrange a visit to see them on Tuesday February 21st so add that date in your diary if you wish to come along but once confirmed with the trainers I’ll send a note out to the owners. Surrey Fortune has a bug so he’s lying low for a few days whilst Surrey Lord has been working well this week with an impressive gallop at Epsom with Kevin Brogan.
In other news more costs as the BHA have increased jockey fees again. Some have asked about how much jockey’s earn, all jockeys get the same riding fee no matter what the race or who they are although the better ones are on paid retainers. On top of that they receive about 8% of the prize money. The increases detailed below will be implemented from 1 February 2023.
Current New
Flat £142.90 £157.90
Jumps £194.63 £214.63
Finally – we only had one runner in January with Surrey Quest – and he’s going to be our first runner in February. Nicky said he’s been working well and has a few entries but he’s going to run at Chepstow on Friday, in the class 3 Cazoo Novices' Limited Handicap Chase over nearly 3 miles with the race scheduled for 3 pm. The train strike won’t help but I’m sure there will be a decent owner representation in Wales, at a course that really does look after owners well, it’s a shame all courses can’t be as good. Good Luck and fingers crossed Quest becomes our third horse to win at Chepstow.
Possible races and events
2023
February
Friday 3rd – Surrey Quest – Chepstow - 15.00
Wednesday 15th Surrey Fortune/Surrey Knight visit - 10.00/11.30
Tuesday 21st – Newmarket Owners Visit (tbc)
March
Thursday 2nd – Surrey Racing Social - Surbiton
Saturday 18th – Surrey Mist – Prix Ebury – St Cloud
Saturday 25th – Surrey Lord – Newbury – Goffs Bumper
April
Friday 21st Surrey Belle – Newbury
Friday 28th Surrey Belle - Sandown
May
Tuesday 16th – Surrey Racing Golf Day