The Epsom Oaks 2025 is nearly upon us. The race is the second oldest of the English Classics and has been run in Surrey since 1779.
This year’s event, scheduled for Friday, 6th June, is open to 3-year-old fillies hoping to make a name for themselves in one of the UK’s most iconic races.
Here, we look at the 2025 runners and consider who is in form ahead of the Epsom Oaks, helping you decide who to back at talkSPORT BET.
Likely Runners in 2025
Desert Flower – 6/1*
This chestnut filly from the Charlie Appleby stable is the one to watch in the Epsom Oaks ante-post market. She has four wins from four career races, including Class 1 wins at Doncaster and Newmarket in 2024.
Expect her to go under experienced jockey William Buick, who has been aboard her last two wins. Buick hasn’t won the Oaks but won the Epsom Derby in 2018 on Masar for Charlie Appleby.
Lake Victoria – 9/1*
A P O’Brien will look to Lake Victoria as the likeliest horse to deliver his eleventh win in the Epsom Oaks this year. This bay filly has won five from five career starts, with Class 1 wins at Newmarket and Curragh last year.
She was also magnificent in winning the Grade 1 John Deere Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, USA, in November with Ryan Moore in the saddle. We can expect great things from Lake Victoria; a win in the Epsom Oaks in 2025 should not be ruled out.
Dreamy – 16/1*
Dreamy, another bay filly from AP O’Brien’s stable, had a brilliant career start in 2024 before disappointing in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, finishing fourth, a considerable distance behind eventual winner, Desert Flower.
Still, she had a memorable August in 2024, winning on debut in the Class 2 Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood and then again in the Class 1 Newtownanner Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Stakes at Curragh at the end of the month, both under Ryan Moore.
With Ryan Moore likely to ride another of O’Brien’s prospects, it will be intriguing to see who will be in Dreamy’s saddle for this one, and it will likely affect her prospects.
Smoken – 16/1*
Trained by British flat racing specialist Ralph Beckett, Smoken is another attractive betting option ahead of the 2025 Epsom Oaks, currently priced at 16/1* at talkSPORT BET. She’s won twice in her two career outings so far and looked great under Hector Crouch last time out.
Smoken’s November 2024 win in the British EMF Montrose Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket was her first class one triumph and she rode well and more-than justified her 5/6 starting price.
Beckett has won the Epsom Oaks twice – first with Look Here in 2008 and again with Talent in 2013, and Smoken looks like his best runner ahead of the 2025 race.
Ballet Slippers – 20/1*
Irish owned and trained, Ballet Slippers is another AP O’Brien entrant in the 2025 Oaks. She only has one win from four career outings – a September 2024 triumph under Ryan Moore in the class four Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Ascot.
Her last run in the class one Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October saw her finish third from seven, losing out to Desert Flower, the favourite for the 2025 Oaks.
While Ballet Slippers hasn’t quite hit the highs of some of O’Brien’s other runners, she’s one to watch and attractively priced at 20/1* in the ante-post market.
Alobayyah – 20/1*
The William Haggas-trained Alobayyah is another horse priced at 20/1* ahead of the 2025 Oaks. We’ve only seen her once – she ran well under Tom Marquand in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Yarmouth in October, beating the favourite, Regal Agenda, in the process.
Haggas last won the Epsom Oaks in 2011 when Dancing Rain romped home, and he also has a Derby winner, thanks to Shaamit’s 1996 success.
Alobayyah might be an outsider, but she looked impressive at Yarmouth, and she could be one for an each-way bet ahead of the Oaks this year.
Epsom Oaks Date and Start Time
The 2025 Epsom Oaks is scheduled for Ladies Day, Friday, 6th June, at Epsom Downs, and it will be the main race of the day at 16.00 GMT. Here’s the entire card for Ladies Day so you can plan your betting strategy accordingly:
| Time | Race | Distance |
| 13.30 | The Surrey Stakes (Listed Race) | 7F |
| 14.05 | The British EBF Woodcote Stakes | 6F |
| 14.40 | The Coronation Cup (Group 1) | 1M 4F |
| 15.15 | The Handicap Stakes | 1M 2F |
| 16.00 | The Oaks (Group 1) | 1M 4F |
| 16.35 | The Handicap Stakes | 1M 113Y |
| 17.10 | The Debenhams Handicap Stakes | 7F |
Epsom Oaks FAQs
Desert Flower is the current favourite for the 2025 Epsom Oaks, with ante-post odds of 6/1*. Please note that odds are subject to change. Check our latest odds in the days and hours leading up to the race for real-time updates.
A P O’Brien is the most successful trainer at the Epsom Oaks in the modern era. His first win came in 1998 with Shahtoush, and ahead of the 2025 race, he has trained 10 winners, with his most recent coming in 2022 with Tuesday. However, the most successful trainer of all time in the Epsom Oaks is Robert Robson, who trained 13 winners between 1802 and 1825.
Yes, only 3-year-old fillies can run in the Epsom Oaks.
The Epsom Oaks is named after The Oaks, an estate located east of Epsom. In the 18th century, the estate was leased to the 12th Earl of Derby, who arranged the first horse race on the land, which was initially known as the Oakes Stakes.
Bet on the Epsom Oaks at talkSPORT BET
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*Odds correct at the time of writing and subject to change
