September 6th Update

Finally – it looks like we have a runner after waiting since Surrey King’s poor showing at Salisbury on May 3rd.  When you compare previous Surrey Racing years it has been such a barren year which is frustrating for all concerned especially as costs are on the increase.

So, we can’t wait for the opener at Goodwood on Tuesday where Surrey Bolt makes his debut as a 2-year-old. The 2.05 race is a class 2 dam/sire restricted race, in this case the conditions of the race state that either the dam or sire must have won a race over 1m 2f.  Surrey Bolt’s dam was unraced, but the sire New Bay won the French Derby (1m 2f) as well as Group 2s over 1m 4f. Bolt’s damsire was Frankel who stayed 1m 2f, and the grandam Speedy Boarding won a Group 1 over 1m 2f so Surrey Bolt, even at this young age, should be able to see out the 1-mile race on Tuesday. Saffie Osborn takes the ride; I believe her first time in our yellow and blue.

Hopefully, this is the start of more positive news in a week where we are expecting vets reports from Surrey King and Surrey Moon. Hillsyde Hope continues his education, while Surrey Lord is back being ridden. From next week Lord will be back on the Lambourn gallops, let’s hope he doesn’t throw his rider again!  We’d love to have them all running before the end of October.  

There is always a strong interest in debut/local runs, and we will probably receive a high number of badge requests. That does highlight a few challenges. Many racecourses have introduced Syndicate Lounges to help meet growing demand from syndicate owners. Initially, we welcomed this development, but it has created some unforeseen challenges when it comes to accommodating requests for extra badges. While Syndicate Lounges do allow a greater number of owners to attend, they don’t provide the full Owner & Trainer (O&T) experience. Typically, they include a cash bar, complimentary tea and coffee, and a limited number of parade ring passes. However, there is no complimentary food, and the quality and location of these lounges can vary significantly between racecourses.

As you know, badge entitlement with Surrey Racing is based on the size of your share. In practice, not all owners attend every race, and we are often able to secure additional badges to meet demand. We’re proud that across more than 250 races, we’ve always fulfilled owners’ entitlements and frequently gone beyond this. Even at major meetings, we’ve managed to secure additional badges where possible, such as obtaining 16 O&T badges for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr (albeit without lunch). That said, we have noticed that since the introduction of Syndicate Lounges, the racecourses have been less willing to extend availability of full O&T badges beyond their stated allocation (typically between 6-8 badges). When we have many owners wanting to attend and the only way we can meet the owner’s entitlement is to use the Syndicate Lounge, we will obviously have to do so. However, an issue arises where fulfilling requests for badges beyond an owner’s entitlement, can only be met by downgrading all owners to the Syndicate Lounge. In cases like this, we need to be fair to those that have requested only their allocation, and, in such circumstances, we will not downgrade from O&T to the Syndicate Lounges.

Good luck to connections of Surrey Bolt – see you at Goodwood!

Possible races and events.

September
Tuesday 8th – Surrey Bolt- Goodwood – 2.05pm
October
Saturday 17th – NH Owners Morning @The Lawes’ in Lambourn