RIP Marley Firth
On Friday we had our first NH runner of the year with Surrey Quest a tad disappointing at Chepstow, but we also heard the sad news that Marley Firth, one of our first runners was put to sleep following an injury after crashing through a fence. We found him a great home after racing and he was very well looked after by his new owner Mollie, so thoughts with her. He ran 18 times for Surrey Racing, winning the first race at Chepstow, placing in two others. He did run in a Grade 2 beating Dynamite Dollars who came second in the Queen Mother at the Cheltenham Festival. The pictures below are of his win at Chepstow under Bridget Andrews.
We didn’t have the same joy with Surrey Quest back at Chepstow. Quest jumped pretty solidly until one very bad mistake in the back straight which seemed to be actually on landing when he appeared to jar himself. He then seemed to jump ok but got beaten for pace in the home straight finishing 10 lengths back in 4th place. We did expect better as the course, the conditions, the distance and the opposition all seemed to be favourable but it appears that Quest, for whatever reason, doesn’t have the fight to tough it out. He wasn’t really blowing after the race so there is more in the tank and he was fine the next day, back on the gallops. Nicky suggested that maybe cheekpieces might sharpen him up, and maybe a drop back in trip where the pace is quicker for longer rather than the slow then quick pace of a 3 mile + race. We are visiting Seven Barrows this week so will chat with Nicky and feedback to the owners. Credit where due – Chepstow is a lovely course who do as much as possible to enhance the owners experience so we will be back there for sure.
In other news we will be visiting Surrey Knight and Surrey Fortune on the 15th – there’s room for a few other owners to join us so if you wish to, please let us know, and for the same reason there could also be a few places for the Newmarket visit on the 21st. Surrey Fortune is over his virus as quick as it came and back on the gallops, Billy thinks we will be amazed to see how much he has grown in the past few months so we are looking forward to seeing him.
We have also arranged with Toby to watch Surrey Lord on the gallops at either Box Hill or Epsom Downs on Wednesday March 1st. Lord continues to take a step forward every time he hits the gallops and so far so good with him.
Possible races and events
2023
February
Wednesday 15th Surrey Fortune/Surrey Knight visit
Tuesday 21st – Newmarket Owners Visit
March
Wednesday 1st Surrey Lord visit
Thursday 2nd – Surrey Racing Social - Surbiton
Saturday 18th – Surrey Mist – Prix Ebury – St Cloud
Saturday 25th – Surrey Lord – Newbury – Goffs Bumper
April
Friday 21st Surrey Belle – Newbury
Friday 28th Surrey Belle - Sandown
May
Tuesday 16th – Surrey Racing Golf Day