May 8th Update

We usually know when to expect a call from a trainer, normally around declaration time, so when we get a call out of the blue our hearts sink in case it’s bad news. We had such a call this week from Charlie and we are absolutely gutted to hear that Surrey Knight’s season is over. Charlie’s head lad felt that there was heat and swelling around his left front tendon and subsequent scans revealed a small amount of damage to the tendon. We were worried at the extent to which his front legs jarred up after Doncaster and had been hoping that they would go the right way. However, it is clear that this is not the case and it is in best interest of the horse and for the syndicate owners to take a break and although he is going to need a significant amount of time off, horses come back from this kind of injury all of the time. Charlie has also recommended that we use the enforced break as an opportunity to get Knight gelded. Back in November, Charlie did discuss the fact that he may need to be gelded at some point but we held off because of the entry to the German Derby (geldings cannot run in the race – a race we genuinely thought with the right conditions we would be very competitive). There are a few reasons why it will be best to geld him now, with the main one being that he is likely to get more coltish as he gets older, he has not always been the easiest horse to train. The second is that colts tend to put on weight and as he is a big horse any further weight gain would only put additional pressure on his front legs. Clearly this is not the news that anybody wants to hear, however, he is an extremely talented horse and will make a lovely stayer once he gets over his injury. We are just going to have to put the dream on ice until next year. 

We have a runner this week as Surrey Mist is entered on Friday into a class 4 handicap at Newbury over 11 furlongs with Trevor Whelan booked to ride. The race is the last on the card at 4.20. If the ground is rock hard then Mist will be entered into a race at Sandown the following week but with the Lockinge on Saturday, even if the ground is good to firm, we’d expect it to be safe enough to run.   

We should see Surrey Charm on a racecourse the day before as she’s scheduled to have a barrier trial at Lingfield on Thursday, probably her last trial before making her proper racecourse debut hopefully at the end of the month. We will let the owners know the exact timings but the trials last from 08.00 until 10.30.  

Surrey Princess was entered in to a race at Bath’s evening meeting on Wednesday, however, Bath don’t/can’t water their course and we won’t risk any horse on firm ground. The plan now would be to run at Chelmsford next Thursday 19th as with the weather forecast, the options are really limited, and obviously she has already won there. After that we will look at potential races at Brighton on the 31st or Nottingham on the 1st June, followed by Newbury on June 9th. 

Of the other horses, Surrey Belle and Surrey Noir are fine and pretty much doing the same thing, gradual work as they mature and get ready for their debuts later in the year. Gran Luna and Surrey Quest are going away on holiday so that leaves Surrey Gold who is ready to run but we just need soft ground. Haydock on the 21st looks the best option for him right now but we may also have to consider Kempton on the all weather on the 18th.   

We will also be keeping an eye out on the Tattersalls Irish Store Sale on Tuesday and Arqana 2 year old Breeze Up Sale on Friday.

Frustrations for the Knight owners, but good luck to the Mist owners, IF he wins Friday you may have to get your top hats and tails out for June!

May
Thursday 12th - Surrey Charm Barrier Trial – Lingfield
Friday 13th – York - Discover Ownership Day
                       Surrey Mist – Newbury – 16.30
Wednesday 18th Surrey Gold - Kempton
Thursday 19th – Surrey Princess – Chelmsford
                            Surrey Mist – Sandown 18.45
Saturday 21st – Surrey Gold - Haydock
Wednesday 25th – Surrey Racing Golf Day @ Silvermere Golf Couse
June
July
August
Monday 1st – Surrey Noir – EBF Ballyhane Stakes – Naas Racecourse, Ireland
September
Thursday 1st – Windsor - Discover Ownership Day
Thursday 8th – Surrey Noir – Doncaster – Weatherbys Stakes
October
Saturday 1st – Surrey Noir – Redcar – William Hill 2 Year Old Trophy
Friday 21st – Cheltenham - Discover Ownership Day
Saturday 22nd Cheltenham - Discover Ownership Day
November
Friday 18th – Ascot - Discover Ownership Day
Saturday 19th Ascot - Discover Ownership Day