Royal Ascot Update
A Royal week lies ahead for the lucky syndicate owners ….
Surrey Charm will miss her date at Lingfield tomorrow after a ‘’dirty’ scope but she’s still on the gallops so it’s just a cold that we will wait to clear before entering her for her second race which could be Newbury on the 21st.
The vets were unable to clear Surrey Fortune’s bowel blockage following a bout of colic so he has had a minor op to remove said blockage. He spent a couple of extra days at the vets but is now back in the yard, eating up and all is well. We are assured it was a one off but Billy will keep an eye on his feed and hydration over the next few weeks. Nothing has changed regarding the plan for next season as he will have an easy few weeks of box rest and then be turned out in the paddock for the summer. He will then start training properly in about September with an eye on the Spring bumpers. Don’t forget we have organised a visit to Billy’s to see him on Sunday 3rd July. All welcome including families.
The other three patients are also recovering although we haven’t heard from Nicky with regard to Gran Luna this week. Charlie said Surrey Knight’s castration has settled down and his tendon feels good. He will need another couple of weeks in the yard before he is ready to be turned out to the rehab stable in Oxfordshire. Surrey Princess has responded well to her treatment for bleeding and she will now go straight for a race from the week of the 19th where there are plenty of options to try and find another win. She’s entered into the July sale on Friday 8th (lot 834) so we will be in touch with the owners in a week or so to discuss the options.
What a pleasant morning at Toby’s today, supping champagne in the sun! Surrey Lord looks absolutely fantastic and Toby is genuinely excited by him. He’s pretty big already (although he won’t grow much more) but moves very efficiently for his size. He jumped a couple of barrels yesterday for the first time as he just slowly learns about his surroundings and what lays ahead. He’ll have his shoes removed this evening and then go out in Toby’s paddocks for around 6-8 weeks. We’ll aim for the Newbury sales bumper in February although that may come too soon but there will be other bumpers in the Spring. He won’t jump a hurdle in a race until the following but longer term he’s certainly a 3 mile chaser in the making.
Surrey Noir is now doing two canters on Warren Hill and looks fantastic. He is not ready to do any more yet but is progressing just as we’d like him to be at this stage. Surrey Belle is a little more backward, but still progressing nicely. She’s another who was poorly last week with a high temperature which is very common with the youngsters so she didn’t do too much this week.
So this week ahead is super exciting for everyone at Surrey Racing – Royal Ascot here we come … I know the owners of Surrey Mist and Surrey Gold are looking forward to the races and I’m sure the rest of you will be cheering on from the course or the sofa!
Surrey Gold has been declared for the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday with Sean Levey riding.
The going is good to firm which does pose a few issues but we have had a long chat with Hughie who wants to run Gold. The good going at Ascot is on the downhill parts which is better, whilst the firm going is mainly on the straight which is uphill and not so much a risk. The race will be slower, it will almost be a hack canter at the start and then once it quickens if Gold shows any dislike or becomes tailed off then Sean is under orders to pull him up and trot home.
Surrey Mist has already been entered into the King George V Stakes (1m 4f) on Thursday with Trevor Whelan booked to ride. We are going to make an entry tomorrow into the shorter (1m 2f) Golden Gates which is on Saturday and take a look at which race would suit better. The weather looks to take a wetter turn at the end of the week so this may also play a part in our planning.
Good luck to the owners this week – fingers crossed for two competitive runs!
June
Tuesday 14th – Surrey Gold –Ascot Stakes – Royal Ascot
Thursday 16th – Surrey Mist – King George V – Royal Ascot
Saturday 18th - Surrey Mist – Golden Gates – Royal Ascot
Saturday 25th – Surrey Gold – Northumberland Plate – Newcastle
July
Sunday 3rd – visit to Billy’s to see Surrey Fortune 10.30 am
Friday 8th – Tattersalls July Sale – Surrey Prince lot 834
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