2025: A Season of Defining Moments

From the racecourse to the sales ring, the 2025 season was defined not by a single moment, but by a series of performances and decisions that reflected a clear long-term vision. Horses stepped forward at the right time, patience was rewarded, and quality underpinned every strand of the programme, with sustainability firmly at its core. Through results on the track, significant black-type success and notable achievements at the major European sales, there has been much to reflect on as the year draws to a close.

Crucially, 2025 reinforced the strength of the foundations already in place. It was a season that showcased consistency, resilience and ambition in equal measure — qualities that continue to drive Bermuda Racing forward.

Pictured: Simon and Moira Scupham of Bermuda Racing visiting Bermuda Longtail at Andrew Balding's, Kingsclere - Park House Stables

Few fillies defined the 2025 season quite as clearly as BERMUDA LONGTAIL, a filly who consistently showed both class and potential throughout her campaign. Purchased for €220,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale [May 2024], where she recorded one of the fastest breezes among the fillies on offer, Bermuda Longtail immediately justified her price, combining natural talent with an unmistakably athletic profile.

Her two-year-old season hinted at what was to come, beginning with an eye-catching debut second over 6f at Kempton before following up with a dominant 7f success at the same track, where she displayed her trademark cruising stride and innate balance. The daughter of Hello Youmzain went on to deliver a fast-closing second under William Buick in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes at York, earning valuable black-type as a three-year-old and firmly establishing herself as one of the operation’s standout performers of the year.

It was a performance that encapsulated her toughness, professionalism and quality - traits that confirmed her credentials to join the Bermuda Racing broodmare band in 2026.

Watch the race replay of Bermuda Longtail’s blistering Listed second below.

Building on the same proven approach, GOMBEY RHYTHM (2yo filly by Harry Angel out of Muqantara) represents another exciting long-term prospect for the operation and follows a familiar and successful pattern in Bermuda Racing’s breeze-up purchases. Like Bermuda Longtail, she was sourced from the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, purchased by Highclere Agency for €230,000, reinforcing confidence in a method that has already delivered black-type performers for the operation.

Following a significant growth spurt, the decision was taken to put her away during her two-year-old season, allowing her the time needed to physically develop and strengthen. This approach aligns closely with Bermuda Racing’s longevity-focused ethos and follows a pathway that has proven successful before. She remains an exciting prospect heading into her three-year-old campaign, with confidence undimmed in her ability to repay patience.

An iconic name for what is hoped to be an iconic filly, Gombey Rhythm continues Bermuda Racing’s tradition of names rooted in Bermudian culture. “Gombey” refers to the island’s iconic Gombey dancers - a deeply-rooted cultural tradition known for its energy, movement and rhythm. It is a fitting name for a filly bred to show both flair and athleticism, while reinforcing the operation’s strong connection to the island.

Pictured: Gombey Rhythm as a two-year-old at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale (photo credit: Mel Media)

Few horses have carried the Bermuda Racing colours with as much distinction in recent seasons as FLORA OF BERMUDA, a filly whose performances and presence helped define an important chapter for the operation. Another successful breeze-up purchase for Bermuda Racing, acquired by Highclere Agency at the Goffs Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale for £340,000, Flora of Bermuda delivered sustained performances against strong company throughout her career.

Her consistency and toughness did not go unnoticed, and it was her Group 2 second in the Duke Of York Stakes on her first start of 2025 that ultimately proved to be her final run in the Bermuda Racing colours. Her story then took an exciting new turn when she was acquired by Wathnan Racing, marking a significant milestone both for the filly and for Bermuda Racing.

The move reflected not only the top-class calibre of horse Flora Of Bermuda had developed into, but also the success of the programme that produced her. A true flagbearer for the operation, she consistently did justice to the colours she carried and played a central role in elevating Bermuda Racing’s visibility on the international stage.

While she now races in Wathnan colours, Flora Of Bermuda remains very much part of the Bermuda Racing story, and her progress on the track - as well as her future broodmare career - will continue to be followed with great pride and fondness by all involved.

Watch how Flora returned with a bang at the start of her three-year-old campaign, finishing an excellent second in the Duke of York Stakes in (May 2025) - her final run for Bermuda Racing.

Followed by her thrilling Group 1 third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot (June 2025), racing for Wathnan Racing.

Returning full circle to the sales ring, the season concluded on a notable high at Europe’s premier yearling sale, Tattersalls Book 1, where SPIRIT OF BERMUDA’s Kingman yearling filly delivered a standout result, selling for 300,000gns.

Offered during the most prestigious week of the European sales calendar, this filly represented the first progeny offering for Spirit of Bermuda, making the result all the more significant. She attracted strong interest throughout the sale, underlining both her individual quality and the strength of her pedigree.

Pictured: Spirit of Bermuda’s Kingman filly prior to selling for 300,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1 (credit: Equus Photography)

Further adding to the positive momentum, Spirit of Bermuda had a No Nay Never colt foal in 2025. One of the most influential speed sires standing at Coolmore Stud, No Nay Never continues to excel as a proven source of elite two-year-old talent, and this colt will represent Spirit of Bermuda as her 2026 yearling, reinforcing confidence in her long-term broodmare potential.

Watch how the No Nay Never x Spirit Of Bermuda colt is getting on at Highclere Stud (taken end of December 2025)

As focus turns towards the start of 2026, attention shifts to the wider programme and the next phase of planning. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spirit of Bermuda's Mehmas foal in the coming weeks, and so excited that she will then be covered by Frankel. Bermuda Longtail will visit Kingman for her first mating and we can only hope that she has as much success as Spirit Of Bermuda had with her first Kingman foal!

The programme continues to evolve, and attention will also turn to the acquisition of another two-year-old filly to join the Bermuda Racing stables from the 2026 breeze-up sales, further strengthening the long-term pipeline.

“What a wonderful 2025. We just cannot wait for 2026 to get underway!” - Simon Scupham, Bermuda Racing

Stay tuned for the next journal entry, as the year ahead continues to take shape.