Who is favourite to win the Oaks at Epsom after Saturday's confirmation stage?
The 2025 Betfred Oaks takes centre stage at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 6, as the top three-year-old fillies in Britain and Ireland battle it out in the third Classic of the season.
Run over the unique and undulating 1m4f track, the Oaks is a true test of stamina and class and the standout attraction on Ladies’ Day at the Derby Festival.
Last year’s winner Ezeliya stormed to victory for Dermot Weld, marking a memorable second Oaks win for the veteran trainer 43 years after his first.
Now all eyes turn to the next star, with Godolphin’s Desert Flower looking to extend her unbeaten run following a dominant 1000 Guineas win.
She faces strong opposition from Whirl, who cruised home in the Musidora Stakes for Aidan O’Brien, and stablemate Giselle, a proven stayer after her gritty success in the Lingfield Oaks Trial.
Who is the favourite to win the Oaks 2025?
Desert Flower is the clear favourite to win the 2025 Epsom Oaks on June 6, with odds of 7/4 (William Hill).
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, the unbeaten Night Of Thunder filly has won all five starts, including the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile (2024) and the 1000 Guineas (2025), beating Lake Victoria by 2¼ lengths.
Her powerful finishing kick and ability to handle Newmarket’s undulations suggest she can navigate Epsom’s challenging course, though her stamina for the 1m4f distance is unproven, given her miler-heavy pedigree.
However, Aidan O’Brien’s trio - Whirl (6/1, Musidora Stakes winner), Minnie Hauk (13/2, Cheshire Oaks winner), and Giselle (11/2, Lingfield Oaks Trial winner) - pose threats, with Whirl’s dominant trial form and O’Brien’s nine Oaks wins making her a strong rival
