August 24th Update
Surrey Fire missed his date with Goodwood today as Hughie felt the faster ground, especially on such an undulating course, wouldn’t suit him and so we try again on Friday, and I think what could be a first trip for us to Thirsk, in the 4.38pm race, a 1m 6f class 4 (0-80) handicap. There is some rain about this week so hopefully the ground will come up on the easy side.
Surrey King is hopefully only 2 months away from an eagerly anticipated debut. His sire Palace Pier has got off to a highly encouraging start at stud and his daughter Royal Fixation took it to the next level on Thursday when winning York's G2 Lowther Stakes and she will head to the Group 1 Cheveley Park stakes at Newmarket on September 27. We have arranged a date with Hughie to see the two horses at an owner’s morning on Saturday September 20th so please make a note of that in your diary and we’ll reach out for final numbers nearer the time.
Steve and I headed to Newmarket this week for a few meetings, whilst there we popped in to see Jackie and Tom and our two horses there. Surrey Shadow is ready to run, he’s fresh and well but waiting for the rain. We’re hopeful that come early September the weather will become unsettled, and we can head off to Salisbury or Haydock. If not, then we’ll have to be patient and wait, as frustrating as that is. Surrey Moon is back to normal, but Tom is taking it easy with him for a few more weeks. Moon is still growing and looks a strong horse, with another 2-3 inches of growth to come. Tom would love to get him out racing as a two-year-old but it’s probably not going to be before the end of the turf season so possibly the all-weather in November or December beckons. We will organise a trip to Tom’s later into the Autumn.
The NH horses are stepping up their work and we’re looking forward to getting the full update from Toby at his Open Day in a few weeks’ time. Surrey Quest has a few little bumps on his face after his fracture at Ayr, he doesn’t affect him apart from his good looks! The plan for him is to have another neck injection before he starts galloping which will last for the season ahead. Sea Presenting and Surrey Lord are in a good spot, building up their work, with some indoor schooling sessions. Kevin Brogan is a regular visitor/rider and is happy with all three of the horse’s progress so far, with the season only around 6 weeks away.
Surrey Etoile continues to build up his fitness and we’re hopeful for an Autumn debut. We will ask Tim to try and give us a month’s notice so we can plan at being trackside for that.
Good luck to Fire and connections if he travels to Yorkshire.
Possible races and events.
August
Friday 29th – Surrey Fire – Thirsk – 4.38pm
September
Thursday 4th – Surrey Shadow – Salisbury
Friday 5th – Toby Lawes Open Day 12.30
Saturday 6th – Surrey Shadow – Haydock
Saturday 20th – Hughie Morrison Open Morning
October
Friday 24th – Surrey King - Newbury