First run back in 1779, the Epsom Oaks is one of the oldest horse races in England, only pre-dated by the St Leger.
The race is open only to three-year-old fillies, and it’s run over a mile-and-a-half course at the iconic Epsom Downs racecourse.
It’s part of the British Champions Series and is always one of the most fiercely contested races on the British card.
Here, we preview the 2024 Epsom Oaks and look at favourites, trends, and ones to watch ahead of the big race.
Who is the favourite for the Epsom Oaks 2024?
Ylang Ylang is the 11/4* favourite to win the 2024 Epsom Oaks. Trained by A P O’Brien, Ylang Ylang has a 50% win record in her flat racing career, winning 3 out of 6 races she’s run.
Behind Ylang Ylang in the Epsom Oaks odds is Danielle at 8/1*. She ran brilliantly in the Wetherby novice in April and is looking to go well in the Oaks later this month.
We’ve also priced Forest Fairy at 8/1*. The R M Beckett trained chestnut filly recently won at Chester, following her first success in Wolverhampton in February. Rossa Ryan rode Forest Fairy to victory on both occasions, and she’s looking good ahead of the Epsom Oaks.
Here’s a full rundown of our current ante-post odds ahead of the Epsom Oaks 2024:
| Horse | Ante-post odds |
| Ylang Ylang | 11/4* |
| Danielle | 8/1* |
| Forest Fairy | 8/1* |
| Opera Singer | 10/1* |
| Tamfana | 10/1* |
| Ezliya | 12/1* |
| Siyloa | 14/1* |
| See The Fire | 14/1* |
| Vanilla | 14/1* |
| Content | 20/1* |
Potential Outsiders to watch
Tamfana, at 10/1*, is a potential outsider to watch at this year’s Epsom Oaks. She enjoyed a clear run in the 1000 Guineas, placing fourth. The bay filly is trained by D Menuisier and enjoyed her first win back in October, finishing first at Kempton Park and then again in Chantilly.
We also like See the Fire, priced at 14/1* in our ante-post odds. Though she was disappointing in her appearance at the Class One at Newmarket earlier this month, she had an impressive end to 2023. She finished first at Newmarket, second at Doncaster, and third at another run at Newmarket, highlighting her credentials as one to watch.
Best Trainers at the Epsom Oaks
Robert Robson trained 13 Epsom Oaks winners between 1802 and 1825, which remains the record number of wins.
AP O’Brien is the leading trainer at Epsom Oaks over the last 20 races, winning on eight separate occasions, with Alexandrova (2006), Was (2012), Qualify (2015), Minding (2016), Forever Together (2018), Love (2020), Snowfall (2021), and Tuesday (2022). He hopes to add Ylang Ylang to his list of winners this year.
John Gosden has three winners under his belt, while Ralph Beckett and Ed Dunlop both have two wins at the Epsom Oaks.
Best Jockeys
Frank Buckle is the leading Epsom Oaks jockey of all time, with nine wins from 1797 to 1823.
The legendary Frankie Dettori has won four of the past 20 races at Epsom Oaks, a feat shared by Ryan Moore, who has also ridden to glory on four separate occasions.
Dettori won with Enable (2017), Anapurna (2019), Snowfall (2021), and Soul Sister (2023), while Moore won with Snow Fairy (2010), Minding (2016), Love (2020), and Tuesday (2022). Here’s a recap of the ten most recent winning jockeys at Epsom Downs and the horses they rode to victory:
| Year | Horse | Jockey |
| 2023 | Soul Sister | Frankie Dettori |
| 2022 | Tuesday | Ryan Moore |
| 2021 | Snowfall | Frankie Dettori |
| 2020 | Love | Ryan Moore |
| 2019 | Anapurna | Frankie Dettori |
| 2018 | Forever Together | Donnacha O’Brien |
| 2017 | Enable | Frankie Dettori |
| 2016 | Minding | Ryan Moore |
| 2015 | Qualify | Colm O’Donaghue |
| 2014 | Taghrooda | Paul Hanagan |
With Dettori’s future uncertain, all eyes will be on Ryan Moore this time. Don’t be surprised to see him add his fifth triumph at the end of May.
Epsom Oaks Trend Analysis
10+ winners at the Epsom Oaks have had one career win in flat (turf) races. Conversely, horses who have entered the Oaks with the highest class win of Class Five have yet to produce a single winner.
We have also seen Galileo produce five winners and Frankel produce two wins in recent renewals, so it could be advantageous to look to the stallion again this time. Note that Dubawi and Montjeu have zero wins from eight runners in this trend factor.
We also know that the biggest-priced winner in recent renewals was Qualify in 2015, winning at 50/1 for AP O’Brien.
How often have favourites won over the last 10 years?
The last favourite to win at Epsom Oaks was Love when she was the 11/10 favourite in 2020. Before her victory, 10/11 favourite Minding ran to victory in 2016. So, in the past ten years, the pre-race favourite has only won twice at Epsom Oaks. Here’s a rundown of the favourite’s performance at the Epsom Oaks since 2014:
| Year | Favourite & Odds | Position |
| 2014 | Marvellous (4/1) | 6th |
| 2015 | Legatissimo (5/2) | 2nd |
| 2016 | Minding (10/11) | 1st |
| 2017 | Rhododendron (8/11) | 2nd |
| 2018 | Wild Illusion (5/2) | 2nd |
| 2019 | Mehdauyih (11/4) | 7th |
| 2020 | Love (11/10) | 1st |
| 2021 | Santa Barbara (5/2) | 5th |
| 2022 | Emily Upjohn (6/4) | 2nd |
| 2023 | Savethelastdance (5/6) | 2nd |
Where did runners win last time out?
Newmarket (Rowley) and York have produced four winners, each going into the Oaks, which indicates who to pick in 2024.
Bet on the Epsom Oaks at talkSPORT BET
The Epsom Oaks is one of the most-watched horse races on the British calendar and will be held at Epsom Downs on May 31st, 2024.
You can bet on the Epsom Oaks at talkSPORT BET. If you haven’t done so already, take a minute to create an account and make a deposit to fund your race bets. Our sportsbook is home to the best horse racing odds with prices on all leading races. Be sure to check out our Epsom Derby odds to pick your winner for the big race on June 1st.
You can then use our tips above to pick your Epsom Oaks winner – will Ryan Moore ride to victory again this time? You decide!
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*Odds correct at the time of writing and subject to change
