September 15th Update
No runners this past week after Surrey Belle and Ffos Las succumbed to the very wet weather and the fixture was called off, and some very sad news in that Surrey Mist has suffered an injury to the same ligament in the build up to yesterday’s Listed race at Chester. Uncannily, it was only 2 weeks ago we wrote it’s great to have so many horses with a clean bill of health, long may that remain but as we know, horses do get injured at the most frustrating time.
It does mean that Mist will now be retired and we will find him the very best loving home to have a full and happy life in retirement. He had a pretty good career racing 13 times, and winning 4 including a Listed win at Deauville. He was rated 104 at his peak and his other notable performances were a close 7th, but only 2.5 lengths back from the winner in the King George V at Royal Ascot, a 4th in a Group 3 in Paris, and he was half a length from reeling in Israr in the London Cup at Newbury. He cost £30k and won over £80k in prize money. He’ll be missed but he doesn’t owe us anything and we wish him very well in the next chapter of his life.
This week we may have two runners, both on the same day, Saturday 21st. One could be Surrey Noir who wasn’t given a French handicap despite running in 3 conditions races. The race with amateur riders has been deemed non qualifying which is very frustrating. He is very well though and will race again at Vannes on Saturday in another conditions race, this time over the slightly shorter 1500 metres. Race time is yet to be confirmed but it will be around 4pm UK time.
Surrey Force had his handicap mark raised 1 pound to 60 in the week and he’s set to go again on Saturday in a 1m 6f class 5 (0-75) handicap at Chester. If he doesn’t make that race then Pontefract on the 26th is a back up plan. That race could also could be suitable for Surrey Charm so hopefully Force can run at Chester. We wouldn’t be too keen to run two horses in the same race. Surrey Belle missed Ffos Las so her next best option is Haydock on Friday 27th. Unfortunately for race planning options are very light and with the weather set to stay settled for the next few weeks we may encounter some longer journeys that ideal with other races open to Surrey Charm in Scotland and Yarmouth.
Good luck to the syndicate owners of Force and Noir this week – hopefully Chester can retain its moisture and Force can break his maiden tag.
Possible races and events
September
Saturday 21st – Surrey Force – Chester 16.45
Surrey Noir – Vannes (approx.. 4pm UK)
Thursday 26th – Surrey Force/Charm - Pontefract
Friday 27th – Surrey Belle - Haydock
Saturday 28th – Toby Lawes SR Gallops
October
Wednesday 2nd – Surrey Charm – Musselburgh
Monday 7th – Surrey Charm - Yarmouth
Saturday 12th – Surrey Fire – York
Tuesday 22nd – Surrey Force - Yarmouth
Thursday 24th – Surrey Force - Nottingham
November
Sunday 17th – Surrey Quest - Cheltenham
December
Saturday 28th – Surrey Quest - Newbury