June 22nd Update
Surrey Fire was due to run at Pontefract today, but the lack of rain thwarted that, and we made a call at 8 am this morning to save the horse (and owners) making a wasted trip. There aren’t too many options for him, so it seems in this continuing hot weather the best (safe) option will be Chelmsford’s evening meeting on July 1st.
Some good news, Surrey Shadow had a visit from the vet in the week who is happy with the way his injury is healing, Tom commentated that ‘we may have got away with one’. Shadow will need a period off for the wound to fully heal and then he will get back working up to racing again, off a reduced mark of 84 having been dropped 3 pounds by the handicapper following his run at Newbury. Hopefully, he’ll be back when the rain comes.
Unfortunately, no Royal Ascot runners for us this year although Steve and I had a great day there on Wednesday. We met some of our ex-trainers, Charlie and Kevin, talked sales with Matt Coleman, spent some time at the France Galop tent, and met with Bobby Burns, the ROA’s new Business Development Office, with who we had a very candid discussion on our thoughts about the ROA and the state of UK racing. It was fun participating in the tipping competition that Nicky runs, and congrats to Al Shea who topped the field this time around. Ascot had increased crowds this year and put on a great show, some superb racing performance in fantastic weather, it really is becoming the premier meeting across all forms of racing and seems to be going from strength to strength. Hopefully, we’ll have a representation next year.
This weekend we are off to see Surrey Etoile in Chantilly and looking forward to a great evening of Saturday racing. Etoile has really come on leaps and bounds in the past month so it going to good to see how much he has changed since we last saw him a few months ago. In Tim’s last 7 runners, he’s had 4 winners (including a Listed) 2 seconds and a third, €85k in prize money, and has 3 entered for that Chantilly raceday so hopefully we get to cheer a few on!
There is no news on the others – patience needed in this game.
We will see those who are travelling in France on Friday evening.
Possible races and events.
June
Saturday 28th – Owners visit to Chantilly
July
Tuesday 1st – Surrey Fire - Chelmsford