In a thrilling display at the 60th Flora Stakes, held on April 27, 2025, at Tokyo Racecourse, Valkyrie Birth, the top favorite, finished in second place, securing a coveted spot in the upcoming Oaks. The race, which featured 18 three-year-old fillies competing over 2000 meters of turf, saw the winner, Cam Niac, ridden by the seasoned Andrea Atzeni, set a new race record with an impressive time of 1 minute 58.6 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 1 minute 58.7 seconds set by Win Marilyn in 2020.
Valkyrie Birth, trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka and ridden by Christophe Lemaire, was expected to perform well after a series of strong races leading up to this event. However, despite her efforts, she could not catch the early leader, Cam Niac, who took the victory decisively. Lemaire noted that Valkyrie Birth may have been too tense due to the cheekpieces, which could have affected her performance. "I think the cheekpieces might have been too effective, as she was a bit worked up coming out of the gate," Lemaire commented. "She still shows some immaturity, and she tired in the last 50 to 100 meters. But she did her best," he added.
The Flora Stakes serves as a traditional trial for the Oaks, granting priority entry rights to the top two finishers, and Valkyrie Birth's second-place finish ensures her participation in the prestigious race. This was her first attempt at a graded stakes race after a successful run in the Freesia Prize earlier this year, where she secured consecutive victories against male horses.
Trainer Tanaka expressed cautious optimism about Valkyrie Birth's future, stating, "She uses up energy in each race, and we will need to assess her condition carefully moving forward. If she can relax, I believe she will handle the longer distance of 2400 meters in the Oaks without any issues." His comments reflect a deep understanding of the filly's temperament and the challenges she faces as she progresses in her racing career.
In the Flora Stakes, the competition was fierce, with Taisei Presence, who was the least favored at 18th in popularity, finishing in third place. Ridden by Yuichi Ishibashi, Taisei Presence's unexpected podium finish added an element of surprise to the race, showcasing the unpredictability of horse racing.
As the racing community looks ahead to the Oaks, the performances of Valkyrie Birth and her competitors will be under scrutiny. With her strong pedigree, including connections to past champions like Denim and Ruby, expectations are high. The Oaks, set to take place soon, will be a significant test for Valkyrie Birth, and fans are eager to see how she will perform after this preparatory race.
The Flora Stakes not only highlighted the talents of the horses but also the skill of the jockeys involved. Atzeni, at 51 years old, demonstrated that age is just a number as he piloted Cam Niac to victory, proving his experience and ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport. His win adds to his impressive resume and showcases the importance of seasoned riders in competitive racing.
In summary, the Flora Stakes was a memorable event that set the stage for the upcoming Oaks. With Valkyrie Birth securing her spot, all eyes will be on her as she prepares for this next challenge. Can she harness her potential and deliver a standout performance? Only time will tell, but the anticipation is certainly building among fans and experts alike.
As the racing season continues, stories like that of Valkyrie Birth remind us of the excitement and unpredictability of horse racing. Each race brings new challenges, and the journey of these athletes—both equine and human—adds to the rich tapestry of the sport.
