2026 Epsom Oaks

Bloom could be one for Epsom - Oaks first and fourth last 2 years won the same maiden.

Three blokes from the SL have picked have picked the pilot, you’ve probably seen?

If not here:

Ben Linfoot: Sticking with O’Brien I put up Amelia Earhart for the Oaks in our 2026 antepost preview at Christmas and it was pleasing to see her get a brief mention at Aidan O’Brien’s press day on Monday. Things are slotting into place with her with Diamond Necklace mentioned for the Prix de Diane and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Amelia Earhart puts herself in the Epsom picture with a positive showing during trial season. Without going over too much old ground, she’s bred for a trip and was given a typical two-year-old campaign for an Oaks filly by O’Brien, culminating in her bolting up in the Minnie Hauk maiden. If you’re not on at 33s, I wouldn’t put you off getting involved at 16s.


John Ingles: The Oaks market is usually the murkiest of the Classics at this time of year but, like Ben, I think maybe Amelia Earhart will emerge out of the gloom this spring and give Ballydoyle another winner at Epsom. Just the step up from seven furlongs to a mile seemed to do wonders for her last year as she hacked up by seven lengths at Leopardstown on her final outing after failing to win her first four starts over shorter. She’s bound to do better still over much longer trips this year as she’s by Camelot and a full sister to Cleveland who missed his three-year-old season but came back at four to win the Chester Cup. She’s a good type physically too, it seems, so there’s a lot to like about her and scope for her to do a good deal better.


Tony McFadden: Make that three of us! Not all of Aidan O'Brien's Oaks winners were either lightly raced or high achievers at two - some, such as Love and Snowfall, had seemed fairly exposed before showing much-improved form when faced with stiffer tests of stamina at three. Amelia Earhart wasn't among the pick of the juvenile fillies last season and it took her five starts until getting off the mark in a maiden, but she showed enough to merit her place in an Oaks trial, and she appeals as one who should relish a step up to middle distances.

great call , Del

And that shows what I know!

Unlucky, Lance.
I too was a big fan of Diamond Necklace last season, and sad to see her running in the French classics.

I have had a bet on Precise for the Oaks.
Hoping to see her take a big step forward this weekend at the Curragh, like many AOB horses do.

Cheers John

Less than 2 weeks between Irish guineas and Epsom Oaks. Not sure Precise will run in both.

A big step forward from Precise as hoped.
I was not worried about the short gap between today and Epsom, as like the last few years, they are more than happy to use the Newmarket Guineas as a stepping stone for the season ahead. The Oaks always looked the plan.
Out of a Galileo mare the trip should be fine for her. And the Chester and York trial winners did not impress me much.
16/1 was too big to ignore.

Doubles (x2) Each Way
10. Precise
12/1
5th Jun EPSOM DOWNS Epsom 5th June - Each Way
16:16 05 June
Each Way: 1/5 Odds, 3 Places
10. Item
50/1
6th Jun EPSOM DOWNS Epsom 6th June - Each Way
16:16 06 June
Each Way: 1/5 Odds, 3 Places
Stake
€50.00
Potential Returns
€17510.00


here's hoping 

Best of luck, lucky.

Great ticket to be sat on.

Gives you some wiggle play on other runners.

Thanks Brandy

hoping they both at least run I will settle for the place double at this stage.

Taken a chance on A la Prochaine , probably shouldnt beat the jolly but decent value for the Chester result . Hasnt been seriously asked a question in either race and as trainer said ..' First three or last' .

Precise for me, if she turns up. She's a class above.

There was an article on the post saying they’ll leave it late for her (as always) but I can’t see it anymore on the RP.

The RP has cottoned on that their printed materials are being scrutinised - sometimes challenged here - for their integrity and accuracy by astute forum users such as this one. I'd find it difficult for AOB choosing to run two. I think it'd be Precise - on probability. Precise won the Fillies Mile at Newmarket.

Amelia Earhart will definitely run.
Precise is the uncertainty.

imo precise will run in the coronation stakes

I think Amelia Earhart and Precise will both run to try and thwart Legacy Link who's a formidable adversary. I'll only bet on the day.

Money for Amelia Earhart. I do not buy the stamina limitation of Precise is more profound than True Love. I hope the wayward price of Precise is not a possible defection induced.

Precise continues to drift.

Not looking good.

It’s a miler. Won’t run

Add to what they said about True Love not staying at the Curragh, Ascot looked inevitable.

On paper, as bad an Oaks as I can remember. My highest figure in the race is Venetian Lace on her Guineas third, but that was out of step with her previous form, and given the inconsistency of that stable's runners I couldn't back her. No surprise that we have ended up with Amelia Earhart as fav, but that's more about the yard than anything else. It can be reasoned that her last race may have been compromised due to the slow early pace and she can come on from that, but she'll need to as the bare form is garbage. If not her, then hopefully another filly can improve greatly on the day. Any filly even up to only average winning level ought to be decimating this field. Hats off to anyone with a strong fancy that comes good, as I can't see anything.

My bet is Euro 100 at 21s K Sarra

That is an interesting take Figgis on the quality of the field. Legacy Link a good fourth in the Fillies Mile last year when she might have been closer this time for JG and CT.

Legacy Link to show improvement over 12f at a price of 4.5  that is value enough. Although on form there isn't anything outstanding on the figures I think she will handle the ground as given and track. She is reported as working well and John Gosden's record in this race is second to none.

And
My second bet is Euro 100 at 26s K Sarra

I could be wrong twice.

Legacy Link is 'even' money for 3 places. Is that not value? He's 3/1 to win.

An improved display from Thundering On, and, on the face of it, an impressive winner. However, delving into the times I reckon she was actually a well below average winner made to look special by the poor performances from the opposition. She might pick up another fillies only Gp1 but I can't see her winning anything beyond that.

looked too good to be true

I always prefer it when the firms differ from my own views, so was pleased to see Timeform rate Thundering On's win only 1lb behind Enable, I have TO 11lbs lower.

Just been reading the Timeform write-up for tomorrow's Pretty Polly, "Thundering On produced one of the best winning performances in the Oaks this century". I'm still struggling to see what criteria they're using to reach that conclusion, especially with Legacy Link bombing out last time. Anyway, as long as Thundering On remains in similar form it's impossible to see her beaten by a load of older fillies who are nowhere near Gp1 class attempting to give her 12lbs.

Jun 26, 2026 -- 5:07PM, Figgis wrote:

Just been reading the Timeform write-up for tomorrow's Pretty Polly, "Thundering On produced one of the best winning performances in the Oaks this century". I'm still struggling to see what criteria they're using to reach that conclusion, especially with Legacy Link bombing out last time. Anyway, as long as Thundering On remains in similar form it's impossible to see her beaten by a load of older fillies who are nowhere near Gp1 class attempting to give her 12lbs.

Don't fancy estrange ?

Estrange wasn't really tested last time so we don't really know how good a 5yo she will be. Tudhope said he thinks she's improved physically. Sometimes 5yos do improve significantly on the track as well, but most don't. On her best previous form I have her running 3lbs higher than Thundering On, but she has to give 12lbs wfa today. It's obviously not impossible she could improve enough but I'd say it's doubtful.

Interesting to me Estrange has gone over there.
Think she's a cracking chance today.

Well done Leano, penzance, she did it nicely. Looking at those behind, I wouldn't say Estrange improved today but she didn't need to. Not only was there notable confidence in the market that Estrange would run her race, but there was also marked weakness in the fav. Even though I thought Thundering On had been hugely overrated she clearly didn't run to her Oaks form today. I don't see how the trip could be used as an excuse, as she was going further backwards at the finish. Possibly she's just a much better filly on soft ground, but there also has to be the possibility that she peaked at Epsom and is now on the slide.

Epsom always looked like a one-off. Unsual conditions, the one horse that ran perfect splits - never to be repeated.

Thanks lads. What a horse she is