Epsom Oaks Tips & Betting Preview 2026

The Epsom Oaks was first run at Epsom in 1779 having been the brainchild of Lord Derby the previous year at a party where he was the host. He also happened to be the first winning owner of the race when his filly Bridget won the inaugural running. The race is open to three-year-old fillies and is run over a distance of a mile and a half.

The race is a must watch race for all fans of top class racing as the horses navigate their way around Epsom’s U-Shaped track. The race is unique as the bends come at the runners quite quickly, so it is important to get a decent position early on. The Oaks has been competitively contested in recent years, with the average renewal seeing between eight and fifteen runners going to post.

Here, I will run through recent Oaks trends, key statistics, analysis of this year’s top contenders, and end with my top Epsom Oaks tips to win and an each way fancy.

Epsom Oaks 2025 – Race Overview

• Date: Friday, 6th June 2025
• Time: 4:00 PM BST
• Racecourse: Epsom Downs Racecourse
• Distance: 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards (approximately 2,420 metres)
• Runners: 9 fillies competed
• Prize Money: Total purse of £573,150, with £325,033 awarded to the winner
• Age Qualification: Open exclusively to three-year-old fillies

Epsom Oaks Trends & Key Stats

• The Irish have a phenomenal recent record in this race, and they have taken 7 of the last 10 renewals
• A P O’brien is the leading trainer with 8 wins
• Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins are John Gosden (3) Ralph Beckett and Saeed Bin Suroor (2)
• William Buick has previously ridden 14 times in this race without success

Epsom Oaks Runners – Key Contenders

Desert Flower – Charlie Appleby

Comes here on the back of five winning runs. The closest she came to defeat was last time out when beating Flight in the 1000 Guineas. She led the main group on the far side at Newmarket last time and dug in strongly when push came to shove to see off the opposition. She is a leading light in this field and Godolphin have had a spectacular year when it comes to winning Classics. She is the one they all have to beat.

Giselle – A P O’Brien

She won a trial for this race at Lingfield last time but only saw off two other rivals. She did so in convincing style by beating the likes of Harpsichord and Love Talk by almost double digits in terms of lengths. Hard to know the level of opposition that she beat but all she could do was win. She is a daughter of Frankel, who is already proven at similar trips. She will be there to pick up the pieces should the market leader fail to run her race.

Whirl – A P O’Brien

She came back to form with a vengeance when taking the Musidora at York beating the re-opposing Go Go Boots by almost six lengths. She was always prominent under Ryan Moore and travelled supremely well throughout the race. Her trainer has an outstanding record in the race and if Ryan Moore chooses her over the others, the signs will point to a massive run being expected.

Minnie Hauk – A P O’Brien

She ran a better race than the bare result indicates at Chester last time as she was continually forced to race widest of all in the Cheshire Oaks. Her stamina came to the fore in the closing stages though as she stayed on best of all to see off Secret Of Love and Caspi Star. There should be more to come and the extra yardage looks sure to suit.

Elwateen – Saeed Bin Suroor

She needs to find improvement and fast if she is to reverse recent form with Desert Flower. There were just over two lengths separating the pair at Newmarket and it was both of the seasonal debuts. Saeed Bin Suroor is no stranger to winning this race as he did so with Kezzia (2002) and Moonshell (1995). The step up in trip is clearly expected to suit, so she has definite each way claims at best.

Revoir – Ralph Beckett

She was last seen finishing runner-up to the re-opposing Qilin Queen at Newbury a little under three weeks ago. She ran a massive race and was denied only a short head by the winner on that occasion. She has only ever won at listed level and has to prove she can bridge the gap to this level.

Wemightakedlongway – Joseph O’Brien

Connections will be doing a rain dace ahead of this race as her best performances have come on soft of slowish ground. The travelling over will be a new experience for her as she has only ever raced in Ireland but won in decent fashion in a Group 3 race at Navan last time. She is another likely pace angle as she made all last time, powering away to win by four lengths to beat Catalina Delcaprio and Island Hopping.

Qilin Queen – Ed Walker

She had the benefit of experience when beating Revoir at Newbury last time and that might just be about her level. Given that her rival was having her first run of the season, you would expect Revoir to turn the tables. She loves to hear her hooves rattle, so the likely fast ground will play to her strengths, but in all honesty, she should be outclassed here.

Go Go Boots – John & Thaady Gosden

She was no match for Whirl last time out when competing in the Musidora Stakes. She was a little unfortunate in her run as she got squeezed up at just the worst possible time. Whilst her yard has an enviable record in this race, she clearly finds ways of getting herself into trouble.

Epsom Oaks Betting Tips

Main tip (NAP): Charlie Appleby – Desert Flower to win

Deset Flower brings the best form to the table and was clearly very much in need of the run in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Godolphin have been having a wonderful season in terms of winning Classics and despite her jockey’s unenviable record coming into the race (0/14), she could well be a grade above this opposition. She already has the beating of Elwateen and can confirm that form here.

Whirl looks the best of the Ballydoyle options this time around having won a Group 3 last time out.

More Epsom Oaks Festival Tips

Discover our expert previews and betting tips for other major races at the Derby festival:

• Epsom Derby
• Epsom Dash
• Coronation Cup