February 4th Update

A pretty sparse newsletter this week I’m afraid with no runners expected until at least later in the month and that would be Surrey Quest who is very well, the cut has healed and he’s enjoying himself on the gallops.  

We discussed the next race and the feeling we had that after 2 competitive handicaps was that we’d like to find something where we’d hope that Quest would more certain of being involved in the finish. Toby felt the mile jump to the Eider or the Midlands Grand National would be too much at this stage (maybe for next year).  Toby thinks the Grimthorpe at Doncaster will be very competitive so whilst we don’t rule it out, if Quest is ready to run again and the ground isn’t too soft then Exeter on Feb 23rd would be a good option, either in the Devon National or a Novice handicap. If he wasn’t ready by then we’d look at the entries for the Grimthorpe (as well as having one eye on the weather).  

Surrey Noir had his first canter last Saturday where he did a very gentle hack canter, twice, over 4 furlongs. He continued that all of this week and hopefully should be ready to step up to Warren Hill at some point this week. 

Without too much other news we share an article from Emma Berry with regard to the issues of prize-money, concerns over Britain and Ireland becoming nurseries for other racing nations with deeper pockets, and the hoovering up of top-class stallion prospects by our friends in Japan. We are certainly concerned by the state of British Racing and don’t feel the BHA are fit for purpose. Emma refers to an article in 1968 ... 

'No Racing and no Money as 1968 comes in' ran the cheery headline on the editorial leader in the February 1968 edition of Stud And Stable. Britain was then in the grip of a foot-and-mouth epidemic which had halted racing during the previous December (the same disease later caused the cancellation of the Cheltenham Festival of 2001). Remarkably, the December Sales of 1967 had been permitted to go ahead by the government under strict protocols and they recorded some notable returns despite some epidemic-enforced withdrawals. Sound familiar?

Vaguely Noble sold for a record 136,000 guineas, and he was far from the only high-priced lot to fall into the hands of racehorse owners from overseas.

The gloomy leader stated, “Already supported by racing programmes that justified the payment of high prices, French and American buyers were afforded a field day.” It continued, “Throughout the century, England and Ireland have acted as a storehouse from which to supply the world's Thoroughbred requirements. This year's December Sales raised more dramatically than ever the question of how long we shall be able to go on doing so unless we can increase our prizes and keep the best at home.” 

Those words, penned in the late 60s are exactly what we are thinking today, somehow though the industry bounces back and fingers crossed our owners are involved in the bigger meetings this season with the ‘premier’ prize money.  

Have a super week ahead 

Possible races and events

2024 
February
Friday 23rd - Surrey Quest – Exeter

Saturday 24th – Hughie Morrison Stable visit                          
March
Saturday 2nd – Surrey Quest – Doncaster – The Grimthorpe
Thursday 7th – Surrey Social – The Victoria Pub in Surbiton (from 6pm)
Saturday 9th – Surrey Shadow and Surrey Noir Owners Breakfast
April
May
Thursday 9-11th – Arqana Breeze Up Sale
Tuesday 21st  – Surrey Racing Golf Day – Silvermere Golf Club