In a thrilling contest at the 60th Flora Stakes (G2) held on April 27, 2025, at Tokyo Racecourse, Kamitsunak, the 7th favorite, emerged victorious, marking its first graded race win in just its fourth start. The race, which took place over 2000 meters of good turf, featured 18 three-year-old fillies competing for priority entry into the prestigious Oaks, set for May 25, 2025.
Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and sired by Black Tide, Kamitsunak displayed impressive speed down the stretch, breaking away from the pack to finish with a winning time of 1 minute 58.6 seconds. This performance not only secured the horse its first title but also set a new race record, surpassing the previous best of 1 minute 58.7 seconds set by Win Marilyn in 2020.
51-year-old jockey Andrea Atzeni, who celebrated his first JRA graded race win in eight years since the New Zealand Trophy in 2017, expressed his joy following the race. “Winning this race is incredible, especially after such a long time. Kamitsunak showed great potential, and I’m excited for what lies ahead,” Atzeni said.
Yahagi, who last won this race a decade ago with Sinewi Zizi in 2015, shared his pride in the horse's performance. “Kamitsunak has been training exceptionally well, and today’s victory is a testament to the hard work put in by the entire team,” he stated.
Following closely behind, the 2nd favorite, Valkyrie Barows, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, secured the second position, also earning a spot in the upcoming Oaks. This performance reinforces Valkyrie Barows' status as a strong contender in the upcoming G1 race.
Meanwhile, Taisei Plances, the 18th favorite with odds of 304-1, finished a commendable third, creating a trifecta payout of 1,100,180 yen. Jockey Tsukasa Ishibashi, who piloted Taisei Plances, noted the horse’s late surge potential. “I thought the timing of the late surge was good. I held back to make the most of its stamina. It’s a shame I couldn’t get a smoother run in the straight. It had good momentum after switching, and if that hadn’t happened, maybe…” Ishibashi reflected after the race.
Taisei Plances had a challenging race, initially running in the back of the pack at 16th or 17th position before making its move in the final stretch. The horse recorded the fastest closing time of the day at 33.0 seconds but fell just short of securing priority entry into the Oaks by a nose.
As the excitement builds for the Oaks, the performances of Kamitsunak and Valkyrie Barows will be closely watched. With both horses demonstrating their capabilities in the Flora Stakes, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how they will fare in the longer distance of the Oaks, which will be run over 2400 meters.
The Flora Stakes has a rich history as a traditional Oaks trial, and this year’s edition showcased the depth of talent among the three-year-old fillies. The stakes are high as these young competitors prepare for one of the most prestigious events in Japanese horse racing.
As the dust settles on the Flora Stakes, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Oaks, where Kamitsunak and Valkyrie Barows will look to continue their successful campaigns. With the anticipation of another thrilling race, fans are left to wonder who will claim the title in this highly competitive field.
In the world of horse racing, every race tells a story, and the Flora Stakes has certainly added a compelling chapter to the narrative of these promising fillies. The energy and excitement surrounding the Oaks are palpable, and as trainers and jockeys prepare for the challenge ahead, the stakes have never been higher.
With the Flora Stakes concluded, the next stop for these talented horses is the Oaks, where they will once again vie for glory on the grand stage of Japanese racing. Will Kamitsunak build on this success, or will Valkyrie Barows rise to the occasion? Only time will tell as the racing season unfolds.
