Charting a New Course: Sea Venture & Somers Isles Arrive at Bermuda Racing

Bermuda Racing is delighted to introduce two exciting new additions to the team following a successful breeze-up season, with purchases secured through trusted bloodstock advisor Jake Warren of Highclere Agency - whose notable breeze-up successes include 1,000 Guineas heroine Cachet. Breeze-up sales have proven particularly fruitful for Bermuda Racing in recent seasons, most notably through the hugely talented Flora Of Bermuda, a special Gr.3-winning filly close to our hearts, who has consistently performed at the highest level, including Group 1 company.

The first addition came at the prestigious Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, a sale renowned for producing elite-level performers including Group 1 winners Native Trail, Cachet, Vandeek and Believing in recent years. We are excited to announce that Bermuda Racing secured a striking two-year-old filly from respected consignor Egmont Stud. By Sea The Stars, one of the outstanding stallions of the modern era, this filly boasts a beautiful pedigree, being out of a full-sister to Stakes winner Blossomtime and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Danceteria.

As with each horse under the Bermuda Racing banner, the Scupham family pay homage to the beauty and history of Bermuda through carefully considered naming selections. This special filly has been named Sea Venture - inspired by the famous 1609 English vessel deliberately grounded by Admiral Sir George Somers upon Bermuda’s reefs after sustaining damage during a hurricane in the Atlantic. It was a courageous decision which ultimately saved all those on board and led Somers to discover the beauty of the island he became so deeply fond of, that he would later return there, eventually dying in Bermuda. The event became one of the defining moments in the island’s history, helping shape Bermuda’s mythology and even inspiring elements of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The story of the ‘Sea Venture’ became one of resilience, survival and new beginnings - the moment a crisis turned into the founding of something enduring, and an apt inspiration for this exciting filly, combining adventure, determination and a spirit of discovery.

Sea Venture is in training with George Scott in Newmarket, where she has settled in well and continues to please in her early work. Current plans are likely to centre around a later two-year-old campaign, with races such as the Rockfel Stakes or Fillies’ Mile among potential targets on home soil at Newmarket later in the season.

Bermuda Racing struck again just this last weekend at the renowned Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, securing a beautiful and speedy-looking daughter of Churchill from Donovan Bloodstock. By a dual Classic-son of Galileo, Churchill has already made his mark as a top-class sire, having already completed the 2,000 and 1,000 French Guineas double with Vadeni and Blue Rose Cen respectively. The Arqana Breeze-Up Sale has become an increasingly significant source of top-class performers in recent years, with recent graduates including 2025 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, alongside Gr.1 winner Gewan and Gr.3 winner/Classic-placed Distant Storm. One particularly close to the heart, this filly’s page already carries a strong Bermuda Racing connection, featuring fellow flagbearer Flora Of Bermuda - herself a Group 3 winner and Group 1 performer - within the pedigree. The family also includes Gr.2 winner and Group 1 performer Powerful Breeze. Somers Isles has joined the yard of Flora Of Bermuda’s trainer Andrew Balding, who is himself a big admirer of Churchill as a sire, making the fit feel all the more exciting for her future development.

We are pleased to announce that this filly has been named Somers Isles, another fitting nod to Bermuda’s rich history and heritage. The name is inspired by Sir George Somers, widely regarded as the founder of Bermuda, and provides a natural link alongside our recent purchase, Sea Venture. The 'Somers Isles' was one of the early names for Bermuda, adopted following the arrival of the Sea Venture on the island in 1609. The connection between the two names feels particularly apt, with Sea Venture representing the ship itself and Somers Isles the islands forever linked to its remarkable story - a fitting pairing for the latest additions to the Bermuda Racing ranks. Somer Isles will be trained by Andrew Balding, with a current view to look to target some Stakes races later this season.

Both fillies represent exciting additions to the Bermuda Racing team and continue the operation’s focus on sourcing high-quality bloodstock with the potential to compete at the highest level, while also offering long-term value and future broodmare potential for the Bermuda Racing programme. With an emphasis on sustainability and building enduring families within the operation, Sea Venture and Somers Isles represent exciting prospects both on the racecourse and beyond. You can find out more about Sea Venture and Somers Isles by visiting their individual profiles on our Horses page [click here].