Flora of Bermuda (IRE)

Flora Of Bermuda earns her Group 1 merit following a solid performance in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, placing 4th. Post race analysis from Simon Scupham - ““It was a magnificent day for Flora of Bermuda in Deauville on Sunday, finishing 4th in the prestigious Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. In doing so she has gained black type at the top table of racing which is so important for her future broodmare career. This achieved at only 3 years of age and at her very first attempt. Despite not being in the greatest of positions during much of the race she finished so well hitting the line doing her best work. She was the first of the British-based runners having both the winners of the recent July Cup and QE II Jubilee Group 1 races behind her. We could not be prouder of our Flora just as Bermuda is of its very own Dame Flora Duffy, who showed what a remarkable athlete she is finishing an amazing 5th in defence of her Olympic crown in Paris. This was despite having to overcome what was almost a career ending injury and only being able to compete in a couple of races since 2022. What an achievement and what a career. We can only aspire to be as proud of Flora of Bermuda’s racing career when she eventually retires. Quite the week both for Dame Flora and her equine namesake in France!”

Group 3 honours for Flora Of Bermuda as she wins a highly competitive renewal of the Gr.3 Summer Stakes at York (6f). Post race analysis from Simon Scupham - “Patience is the name of the game! Flora’s terrific win today in York’s highly competitive Group 3 Summer Stakes was so well deserved. She has always been regarded as a special horse with a special talent but so often the gods have transpired against her. The patience shown by the trainer and all his team is now paying off. Stepping her up to 6 furlongs was also inspired. Patience was also needed by PJ in running today! Lots to look forward to!”

Flora Of Bermuda put in a blinding performance over 5 furlongs to just be narrowly denied (2nd) in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown.

Post race analysis from Simon Scupham - “Our Flora is back, putting in a fine performance to come a ‘head’ second in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown today! She behaved impeccably in the prelims and got out of the stalls without any issue. Unfortunately her draw did her no favours finding herself blocked in through the first half of the race. Oisin managed to pull her out wide from the rear of the field at the 2f pole and she finished like a train. There is no doubt Flora would have been a worthy winner if she was able to have another stride or two! Much to look forward to!”

Jockey, Oisin Murphy - “Flora Of Bermuda got very excited at the start of the race and sadly she gave away a lot of ground. To think she was upsides a horse going past the line and she wasn’t beaten by far, she’s still run a very big race. It wasn’t meant to be today, but she’ll be better next time.”

Simon Scupham - “Flora gave herself no chance in the Temple yesterday. She got worked up at start, despite behaving impeccably until then, before rearing up in the stalls when the gate opened. This was disappointing as Flora has been working amazingly at home. On a positive note she made up an eye-catching amount of ground! She is an exceptionally talented filly with lots to look forward to.”

Slowly away, little went right for Flora Of Bermuda in-running, however this special filly toughed it out and put in another high-class performance, finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket (15.10.23).

“Once again Flora did not get the rub of the green. The worst of draws, very slow away and stopped in the final stages with Rosario coming right across her. She has had a long year so she will now have a deserved holiday and we can all look forward to an exciting campaign next year!” - Simon Scupham

A special day for Bermuda Racing as Flora Of Bermuda secured her black-type with an eye-catching turn of foot, finishing 2nd in the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster (15.09.23).

“Flora is back in town, coming 2nd in the Gr.2 Flying Childers this afternoon. Having dwelt at the start she was never going to catch the impressive winner. Nevertheless, she showed eye-catching speed to move from last to second in the blink of an eye and hit the line well… onwards and forwards for our talented filly!” - Simon Scupham

It’s gold for Flora Of Bermuda following her impressive 4-length win over 5f at Glorious Goodwood (02.08.23). Watch the race replay below.

“What a glorious win for Flora in the Alice Keppel at Glorious Goodwood. The racecourse may have been rain soaked but Flora finally had her much deserved day in the sun! One can’t help but imagine that there will be some exciting times ahead for her…”
- Simon Scupham

Flora Of Bermuda ran a blinder in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot (21.06.23). Watch the race replay below.

“We could not be happier with Flora’s run in the Group 2 Queen Mary. She ran an absolute blinder coming 6th in a field of 26 very talented fillies, actually winning her race on the slower, far side of the track. To achieve this given her fitness was touch and go leading up to her declaration and given the draw was not in her favour, she really did do us proud… so much to look forward to with this amazing filly.” - Simon Scupham

Simon Scupham’s post-race analysis following Flora Of Bermuda’s eye-catching 2nd in the Hilary Needler Trophy (5f) at Beverley today (10.06.23):

“What a fantastic performance by Flora today. Although she was luckless in running, her acceleration in the closing stages to finish a fast closing second was very eye-catching indeed. As far as Flora was concerned she had won, having passed the winner shortly after the post.

“Next stop, the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot!”

Simon and Moira were delighted with Flora Of Bermuda on their recent visit to Andrew Balding’s Park House Stables.

She will make her second racecourse start today as she heads to Beverley for the Hilary Needler Trophy (5f). Jockey Oisin Murphy (pictured) will take the ride.

Flora of Bermuda's Race replay from her Sandown debut yesterday (16.05.23) where she came a promising fourth in a tight finish.