End of October Update

Good evening from soggy Surrey, seemingly we are not alone!  

Doncaster was called off on Friday where Surrey Noir was entered but we had already made the decision to pull up stumps for the season with him. His training work at home hasn’t been as good in the past few weeks and so Charlie has decided to give him a break and then prepare him for next season. He’s had 7 runs this year and never out of the top 5, with 1 win and two very close seconds, which on another day could have been very different. He’s still a little weak so the break will allow him to strengthen and we believe there’s more to come in 2024. 

With the turf season coming to a conclusion, Noir isn’t the only one who has run their last race of 2023. Surrey Fire lost 20 kg after his race at Nottingham which is double what horses normally lose when they race. He clearly put in a lot of effort and it took its toll on him and so Hughie has decided to give him a winter break now and prepare for next season.  

Hughie was in two minds whether to run Surrey Charm again this season but has decided against running as options towards the end of the turf season are somewhat limited. She’ll move to Culworth Grounds Farm (where Surrey Knight had his rehab) and have a complete break from racing. Sophie, who runs the farm, tends to keep the horses outdoors until late November/early December and then bring them inside for the colder months. She’ll probably move back to Hughie’s later in January where she will be prepared for the turf season which starts at the end of March. She only had 4 runs this season as it took her a while to get over various niggles but a 1st, 2nd and 4th have given us reason to be optimistic in 2024 and the syndicate owners certainly won’t forget that win at Chepstow! 

So with Surrey Mist in rehab, Surrey Shadow being held off until next season, we have only have two flat horses who will hopefully have a run before taking a break.  

Surrey Belle is well and set for one more run this season, hoping we can find that elusive win. There are two potential options over the next couple of weeks. She is entered into at Lingfield on Wednesday afternoon in a class 6 handicap currently scheduled for 3.38.  If we feel it doesn’t suit then the other option is a class 6 handicap at Wolves on Monday 13th, which has a longer straight and less hard luck stories, both races over 12 furlongs. 

Surrey Force is still on schedule for a run in November before he has a break before coming back in similar race as Surrey Fire next season. 

We are now looking forward to the NH season although we still have a question mark over Surrey Lord. He will get re scanned this week so fingers crossed that’s clear and he can get back to training for his debut. Unfortunately Surrey Fortune has sore shins from his hard work so he’s having a couple of easy week as well as 5 schedule trips in that time to a local spa and water treadmill! It will however, frustratingly, put his debut back a couple of weeks. 

Tomorrow, after 247 days off, we are all so excited to see the return of Surrey Quest, who runs in the 14.25 at Huntingdon, a class 4 handicap over 2n 7f with Kevin Brogan riding. Toby said “the preparation has been very smooth, he has been schooling and galloping very well and looks a picture of health. The ground tomorrow is being described as Good to Soft, Soft in places, which is very sensible ground to be starting back on. The trip is also a good one to start with, 2m7f and on a flat track so it shouldn't bring about any stamina doubts. Our proposed tactics for tomorrow, line up at the front, have some daylight at the first and see how the race unfolds. We certainly don't need to be battling another horse for the lead and heading off at a colossal pace, so if something wants to go forward they can. I just don't want to see him dropped in towards the rear. This is actually a really interesting race with several unexposed types, we are running in a lower grade than he has been able to run in before, which I think will really help him stay in his comfort zone and allow him to build some confidence”. Let’s hope he returns to how he once was and we can live the dream again!  

Good luck to the horse racing owners and all involved tomorrow, and for the racing syndicate connected with Belle if she runs on Wednesday. 

Possible races and events

2023 
October
Monday 30th – Surrey Quest – Huntingdon – 14.25
November
Wednesday 1st – Surrey Belle - Lingfield
Monday 13th – Surrey Belle - Wolves
Wednesday 15th – Surrey Force - Kempton