2026 has been a thrilling time for sports fans so far, with the Winter Olympics, Six Nations Championship, and Australian Open all taking place.

We’re looking forward to another exhilarating sports event on Saturday 6th April, and best of all, it’s right on our doorstep.

The Boat Race takes place this upcoming weekend, a day of fun and excitement on the River Thames. Join us as we share why you should watch and how our Ledger Series of fragrances is the perfect accompaniment.

The Boat Race is an annual set of rowing races that takes place between Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club.

It all started in 1829, when Cambridge student Charles Merivale challenged Oxford student Charles Wordsworth to a boat race, which took place at Henley-on-Thames.

Additional races took place sporadically until 1856, when they were held every year, apart from during World War I, World War II, and during the pandemic.

Today, over 250,000 people watch the race from the banks of the River Thames, where they enjoy food, refreshments and big screens for watching every minute of the action.

• Oxford rows in dark blue and Cambridge races in a light duck-egg blue
• The stretch of water is known as The Championship Course and is four miles and 374 yards long (6,779 m)
• Four races take place: the women’s boat race, the men’s boat race, the women’s reserve race, and the men’s reserve race
• Before each race, a coin toss takes place. The crew that wins the coin toss chooses which side of the river they will race on
• Famous faces that have taken part in The Boat Race include historian Dan Snow, actor Hugh Laurie, and Olympic gold medallist rower Matthew Pinsent
• Cambridge has won the men’s race 88 times and the women’s race 48 times. Oxford has won the men’s race 81 times and the women’s race 30 times. The men’s race was a dead heat in 1877
  
  

Our store at 89 Jermyn Street isn’t too far away from the action, and we’ll be cheering both sides on throughout the day.

The thing we love most about The Boat Race is that, like us, it’s time-honoured and well-established – respecting tradition throughout the centuries while also being fresh, exciting, and modern.

Our Ledger Series of fragrances are as traditional and long-standing as The Boat Race itself. Nine fragrances, once discontinued, lovingly restored using the authentic formulas written down centuries ago.

Timeless fragrances for a modern age.

Warm, spicy, and inviting, Malmaison Encore contains floral heart notes of Malmaison carnation, reminiscent of the carnations Oxford students wear for luck when they sit their exams.

The original Malmaison fragrance was a favourite of Oscar Wilde, who would visit the Floris shop to see the Floris family.

Elegant and alluring, with citrussy top notes and a velvety drydown, this beautiful fragrance transports you to a field of wildflowers on a warm, summery day.

Edwardian Bouquet was first introduced in 1901 to celebrate King Edward VII ascending the throne, and reintroduced to a brand new audience in 1984.

Feminine and timeless, Rose Geranium was created in 1890 and was a favourite of iconic star Marilyn Monroe.

Sweet yet citrussy and green at the same time, this beautiful fragrance is grounded and subtle, a wonderful scent that boosts your mood and helps you focus.