March 9th Update

Unfortunately, some injury news to convey, as Sea Presenting pulled up lame after her work on Tuesday and had to be examined by the vet who couldn’t identify exactly what the problem is but believes the most likely is a stress fracture in the upper part of the leg or the pelvis. Although this means a long period of box rest (6-10 weeks) and no more racing this season, if it is a stress fracture, there should be no long-term issues, and she will be ready for the start of next season. There does not appear to be a displacement of any bones, which is good, but Toby will need to keep a very careful eye on her over the next 3 weeks until any fracture has started to knit. It is obviously disappointing that the season has been cut short, she will miss the Mares Final at Newbury, but at least it has happened towards the end of the season after 3 promising runs, and we still have plenty to look forward to next season. SP will have a scan in 3-4 weeks’ time, and we’ll have more of an idea about the injury then, but she’s fine in herself, eating well and as we have said before, sometimes with young horses the chance to mature physically will really help her longer term.   

Surrey Quest was due to run today at Warwick, but we felt with the lovely sunny weather it wasn’t worth taking a chance with him and now he’ll head straight to Ayr for the Scottish Grand National. Next to run will probably be Surrey Lord although he’s had a few coughs after his run at Southwell, so he’ll be monitored this week. 

It was great to meet up with some of the Surrey Shadow and Surrey Moon owners on Saturday morning, it was a stunning Spring day in Newmarket, Jackie and Tom are great hosts with sausage and bacon rolls, tea, and coffee and a relaxed 2.5-hour visit enjoying seeing all the horses in the yard looking well. We feel this will be a good season for the Clover’s, they have already had 4 maiden winners, and a big race win in Quatar, so they have plenty to look forward to.  Surrey Shadow has come out his race well and had his first piece of work on the Cambridge Road gallop yesterday. He comfortably led 2 decent horses and now all roads lead to Doncaster at the end of the month. After that his season may be determined by the weather, he won’t want rattling quick ground so it’s possible he have a few spring races, a summer break and then back for an Autumn campaign, but one race at a time. (The horse that came second to Shadow at Southwell, Commanding Prince, runs tomorrow evening at Newcastle).   

Surrey Moon trotted for 2.5 miles around the ring with some other two-year-olds. He looks well and will start galloping again in 7-10 days’ time and Tom thinks with a fair breeze he will make his debut in July over 7 furlongs. He does qualify for band D (receives 2 pounds cumulative allowance from Band A, B and C) restrictive novice races and so may target one of the 88 High Value Developmental Races that were announced this week, including 30 Restricted Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of £30,000.  The programme of races, designed primarily for two- and three-year-old horses at the beginning of their careers, offer enhanced prize money with the aim of supporting the domestic breeding industry and encouraging the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain. The programme continues to thrive thanks to the support of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls, who combine with the BHA Development Fund to provide financial support for the initiative. The full programme of 88 races can be found here https://media.britishhorseracing.com/bha/Racing_Dep/HVD_Races_2025.pdf 

No new news on Surrey Fire and Surrey King, remember to let us know if you wish to see those two at Hughies in 2 weeks’ time, also open to anyone who may want to buy the last share in Surrey King. Surrey Etoile is also doing well (3 shares available) and we will think about a date to travel over and see him on the gallops, taking in a race meeting at Chantilly.   

No racing for us this week so same time, same place next Sunday 

Possible races and events.                          

March
Wednesday 19th - Surrey Lord - Huntingdon
Saturday 22nd - Surrey King/Surrey Fire @ Hughie Morrison stable Visit - 09.40                                
Saturday 29th – Surrey Shadow – Doncaster
April
Saturday 12th – Surrey Quest - Ayr 
May 
Tuesday 13th – Surrey Racing Golf Day, Silvermere Golf Club