Betfred Oaks
Group 1, Epsom Downs 16:00 £625,000 guaranteed 3yo fillies only, 1m 4f 6y, Class 1
Tweet Friday 5th June 2026

Aidan O’Brien’s domination of the Oaks trials continued this week as both Amelia Earhart and Cameo advertised their Epsom credentials with impressive victories at Chester and Lingfield respectively.

A stumble from I'm The One at the start in the Cheshire Oaks, but all class from Amelia Earhart - the new Oaks favourite for Epsom... 👀 pic.twitter.com/WGzA2snGGn

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 6, 2026

Amelia Earhart emerged as the new favourite for the Oaks after providing O’Brien with a landmark 10th success in the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks. Sent off at 13-8 under Ryan Moore, the daughter of Camelot produced a polished display to defeat the highly regarded I’m The One by two lengths on the Roodee.

Much of the pre-race attention had centred on John and Thady Gosden’s I’m The One, who had created a huge impression when winning on debut at Newbury and was sent off the 6-5 favourite. However, the inexperienced filly never looked fully comfortable around Chester’s tight turns after slightly stumbling leaving the stalls.

By contrast, Amelia Earhart travelled strongly throughout despite wearing the unusual combination of a hood and blinkers. Moore always looked happy in behind the pace and, although the winner edged right turning for home, she quickened decisively in the straight to put the race to bed in convincing fashion.

“We always thought she was a good filly. A mile and a half suited her, she handled the track and the ground and she gave me the perfect feel the whole way.”

Ryan Moore

The result saw bookmakers react swiftly, with Amelia Earhart promoted to clear Oaks favouritism at around 3-1, while I’m The One drifted after suffering the first defeat of her career.

Coolmore representative Paul Smith felt the performance confirmed what connections had always believed about the filly’s potential over middle distances, noting that her pedigree always suggested improvement for a step up in trip.

O’Brien, watching from Ballydoyle, admitted Amelia Earhart had always shown signs of temperament but felt maturity was now beginning to bring out her ability. Despite defeat, the Gosdens were far from discouraged by I’m The One’s effort, with John Gosden stressing that the hype around the filly had become excessive after just one run.

Connections will now decide whether to head straight to the Oaks or consider the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot instead.

O’Brien’s outstanding week continued at Lingfield, where Cameo added her name to the growing list of Ballydoyle Oaks hopefuls by landing the William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes under Moore.

The Ballydoyle bandwagon rolls on! 🤩

Cameo stars in the William Hill Oaks Trial for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien! 🌟@LingfieldPark pic.twitter.com/LTovmbjOh4

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2026

The Ballydoyle team had already enjoyed a hugely successful Chester May meeting and Cameo ensured the momentum continued with an authoritative display. After tracking stablemate Bloom into the straight, the 100-30 chance asserted powerfully to beat Andrew Balding’s Prizeland by four and three-quarter lengths.

Favourite Romantic Symphony, trained by Charlie Appleby, never threatened to land a blow as Cameo stayed on strongly to enhance her Classic claims.

“She handled the track well and did everything right. She’s still developing physically and mentally, and I’d say she’ll keep improving as the season goes on.”

Ryan Moore

Bookmakers responded by cutting Cameo sharply for both the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish Oaks, with Ballydoyle increasingly appearing to hold a formidable hand ahead of the summer’s major middle-distance contests.

My Ophelia is now unlikely to run, after suffering minor setbacks in her spring preparation, with trainer William Haggas opting for a patient approach to protect her long-term potential. Connections may instead target races like the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot or the Irish Oaks, believing there are plenty of major opportunities ahead for the lightly raced filly.

Betfred Oaks
£625,000 guaranteed,
3yo only, 1m 4f 6y, Class 1
53 entries
Going:

(Form as of May 9)

Past Epsom Oaks Winners