January 28th Update
It was great to be involved with a super day’s racing yesterday at Doncaster and to chase decent prize money, which as we are aware isn’t always the case in the UK, alas we came home empty handed! The syndicate owners travelled to Yorkshire for our first outing of the year with confidence that Surrey Quest would run well following his stunning success in The Mandarin but also with the knowledge that this race, the Great Yorkshire Chase, was another step up in class and hoping the distance wouldn’t be a hindrance.
We were aware that for the 3 mile starts at Doncaster, it’s important to get a good position from the get-go as the first three fences come quick around the turn, but it was a strange sight in the parade ring as when the bell sounded for the jockeys to mount, they all started running (Le Mans style!) in all directions to climb on board their mounts to get to the start and nab the perfect spot! Tom Cannon had Quest in a handy position as the flag was dropped and Quest immediately got into a decent rhythm. However, he just wasn’t fast enough to keep with the frenetic pace and finished down the 18 runner field in 10th place, 24 lengths off the winner. It was the quickest Great Yorkshire Chase ever run!
We thought it was a pretty good effort, Quest was foot perfect at all 18 fences and there was no disgrace where he finished especially seeing as he lost a hind shoe and had a nasty paston cut that required a suture and antibiotics. Most of all though, we have learnt from the race that 1, he deserves to race at this high level, and 2, he requires a lot further than 3 miles.
Quest was fine today, the wound was clean and the vet gave him another dose of antibiotics. Tom didn’t push him too hard once we were out of the prize money so he could turnaround fairly quickly. The plan before the race was to revisit Doncaster for the Grimthorpe early in March but that may be too short at 3m 2f so there are two other options in the next 6 weeks, the Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 24th, and the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on March 16th. The Newcastle race clashes with the stable visit to Hughie’s so we may have to rethink that nearer the time. As always we’ll wait for the handicapper on Tuesday, and debate with Toby, but there’s no doubting there are exciting times ahead for the owners of a horse that lost his way last season but has certainly found it this season.
Not too much in additional news, Surrey Charm and Surrey Belle have arrived back at Hughie’s after their break at Culworth Grounds Farm and Tom sent a video of Surrey Shadow today showing off his good looks. He’s started back cantering and is so much stronger as a three year old. He’s enjoying his training which will be picked up in the next few weeks and he’s on track for a debut around the end of March/early April.
Possible races and events
2024
February
Saturday 24th – Hughie Morrison Stable visit
- Surrey Quest – Newcastle – The Eider
March
Saturday 2nd – Surrey Quest – Doncaster – The Grimthorpe
Thursday 7th – Surrey Social – Surbiton
Saturday 9th – Surrey Shadow and Surrey Noir Owners Breakfast
Saturday 16th – Surrey Quest – Uttoxeter – The Midlands Grand National
May
Thursday 9-11th – Arqana Breeze Up Sale
Tuesday 21st – Surrey Racing Golf Day