Jan 15th ‘22

Not quite the results we wanted yesterday and still a Group/Graded race win eludes us but that’s racing, it’s just so tough to win at any level. 

The positive was Surrey Princess who improved again in only her 6th run to finish 3rd at Lingfield. We knew she was in a better frame of mind after her work out at Kempton last week and that showed yesterday. She was very relaxed and went down to the start nicely, no problems going into the stalls but had to wait for some unruly ones and seemed to miss the break although Trevor pushed her into a decent position. Trevor was very happy with the way she traveled and went to challenge after the final turn but the leader had a better turn of foot to move away, as did the eventual winner coming from behind, but they didn’t get away from Princess who stayed on to finish 1.75 lengths back in third – Trevor said stick to 10 furlongs but a galloping track would suit her better. Kempton or similar. It was great to see all the racehorse owners at racing again and be joined by syndicate owners of our other horses in the bar who came along to support which was fantastic.

Princess goes to the post

The slight disappointment for the horse owners was Surrey Quest who seemed to struggle from the start, his jumping got more ragged as the race progressed and Aidan Coleman decided, quite rightly, to pull him up.  Well the good news is that Surrey Quest is happy and eating up this morning! 

What a great turn out and well done Warwick for fitting all of the syndicate owners in!

When we spoke to Nicky earlier, his first words were that he couldn’t believe what he saw during the race yesterday and that there must be something amiss. Aidan’s reaction immediately after the race was to have him scoped and Billy (Nicky’s assistant) reported that Quest was coughing in the unsaddling enclosure after the race. This was confirmed by the on-course vet who examined Quest immediately after the race and is referred to in the Racing Post analysis of the race. 

The vet is in tomorrow and Quest will be scoped and given a thorough examination and Nicky said he would be surprised if it did not show a respiratory infection, which if correct, would explain a lot. We will know more in the next 48 hours but it is likely that Quest will be given an easy time now for a few weeks to make sure he gets back to being 100% physically and mentally. Provided the tests show nothing serious it is likely that his next run will be early March. 

The races come thick and fast though with Gran Luna entered to run at Newbury on Wednesday in the feature race, the 3.30 class 2 mares handicap hurdle over 2 miles. Nicky said the Luna is very well and he fully intends to run, adding it looks a nice race for her. Looking at the weights and other declarations it could be a 5/6 horse field and come down to the first 3 from her last winning race at Newbury in December.   

Next Saturday, the owners breakfast at Charlie’s – which we have about 20 Knight and Noir owners coming along with a meet time of 09.00 please.

Surrey Knight is doing lots of long steady canters at the moment and thriving. He is a big colt but is starting to fill his frame nicely now and will continue to canter for the next month. Charlie will then start to pick things up as we prepare for the turf debut in late March/early April.  

Surrey Noir had a very easy festive period and then trotted for the first week of January. Charlie has now started to sort the two-year-olds out into early and later developing types. Surrey Noir falls into the early category and has resumed cantering with the more forward two-year-olds. He has no problem getting up Warren Hill and is a beautifully balanced athletic colt.  His work will continue to pick things up gradually through January/February and Noir will tell us when he is ready to start doing more. 

No real news on Surrey Gold – Hughie was at Warwick and said all is good, but not a lot will change until mid February as he continues to recuperate from last season. Surrey Belle is well and continuing to fill her frame but as such will stay a few extra weeks in Langshot Stud to around that same mid Feb time. 

Nothing to add on Surrey Charm, but Surrey Mist is looking to have a racecourse gallop at Kempton on Friday. George’s breakfast is on Saturday 5th, meet time will be 09.00. It’s worth mentioning for those making a day of it there is racing at Sandown that afternoon.  

Good Luck to Gran Luna and racehorse connections on Wednesday – make it 4 from 4 there ! And those heading to Newmarket on Saturday, enjoy the trip and share the pics!           

 Entries and Other Possible Plans/Events 2021

2022
January
Wednesday 19th – Gran Luna - Lingfield – 3.30
Saturday 22nd – Charlie Fellowes stable visit for Noir and Knight owners
February
Thursday 3rd Tattersalls February Sale – Princess lot 29 ?
Saturday 5th – George Baker stable visit for Charm, Mist and Princess owners – 09.00
March
Saturday March 5th – Hughie Morrison Stable visit for Belle and Gold Owners
Saturday 26th – Surrey Knight – Doncaster (Maiden Stakes)
July
Sunday 3rd – Surrey Knight (153rd German Derby, Hamburg) ) 98 left in after Dec 20th – next stage Jan 24th
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