Flora Of Bermuda
Message of 26th July 2026
I am backing Flora Of Bermuda for the Oak Tree Stakes, now that it looks like she is going to run here. She did have the option of running in the Lennox Stakes on Tuesday instead, but she hasn’t been declared for that race this morning, so this looks like her target.
She would have been of interest at a big price in the Lennox, and she has been under-rated in the market for this race in my book. She is a classy mare who is often competitive in Group 1 races. Third in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot in 2024, she finished third again in the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last year. She wasn’t as good in the race this year, but she got upset in the stalls, and her bit reportedly slipped during the race, so you can allow her that. More importantly, she bounced back to form last time when she won the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York two weeks ago, a race that she had also won two years ago.
She has never raced over seven furlongs, but she was declared for the Prix de la Foret two years ago, and she races over six furlongs as though she should have every chance of getting seven. Also, her dam won over a mile as did her sibling, Power Of Light.
She will probably face progressive young rivals in Hassaleh and Secret Of Life and Zanthos, and she will have to concede a 3lb penalty, but she is the class act in the race, they have to improve to get up to her level, and the market appears to be favouring potential over proven ability. The Andrew Balding horses could hardly be in better form, and it looks like she will have James Doyle for company.
FLORA OF BERMUDA WON (ADV 6/1, SP 5/2)
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