As the sun rises over Epsom Downs on Friday, June 7th, the stage is set for the 247th running of the Epsom Oaks, a race that has long been a proving ground for the best three-year-old fillies in Britain and Ireland.
This year’s renewal promises a captivating narrative: can Aidan O’Brien, the master of Ballydoyle, add yet another chapter to his Oaks legacy with one of his three talented contenders?
For more than two decades, Aidan O’Brien has been the dominant force in European flat racing, rewriting the record books with each passing season.
His record in the Epsom Oaks is nothing short of remarkable: 10 victories, from his first with Shahtoush in 1998 to his most recent with Tuesday in 2022.
O’Brien’s approach to the Epsom Oaks is often a blend of tactical nous, deep reserves of equine talent, and the ability to bring fillies to their peak for the big day.
This year, O’Brien sends a trio of fillies into battle: Minnie Hauk, Giselle, and Whirl. Each arrives with strong credentials, but all must face the formidable favourite, Desert Flower, trained by Charlie Appleby.
The Main Rival: Desert Flower
Standing in O’Brien’s way is Desert Flower, the unbeaten daughter of Night Of Thunder, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin and ridden by William Buick.
Desert Flower’s juvenile campaign was flawless, culminating in a dominant win in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
She returned this spring to capture the 1,000 Guineas, showcasing both class and determination.
The one lingering question is stamina: while her pedigree suggests a miler, her racing style hints that she may stay the 1m4f trip of the Oaks.
Desert Flower heads the market at around 7/4, a testament to her reputation and unbeaten record.
O’Brien’s Trio: Strength in Numbers
Minnie Hauk
The shortest-priced of O’Brien’s trio is Minnie Hauk, currently second favourite at around 4/1.
Bred by the Sangster family and purchased for nearly £2 million, Minnie Hauk has always carried lofty expectations.
She rebounded from a debut defeat to win a Leopardstown maiden, then impressed in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester, a race O’Brien often uses as a springboard for his top Oaks hopes.
Under Ryan Moore, Minnie Hauk showed both stamina and tenacity to make all and fend off challengers, suggesting the Epsom trip will suit her well.
Coolmore’s purple and white silks have been carried to Oaks glory before, and Minnie Hauk’s blend of pedigree (by Frankel) and proven stamina make her a major player.
Giselle
Giselle, the mount of Colin Keane, is another filly who has earned her place via the traditional O’Brien trial route.
She captured the Lingfield Oaks Trial, a race that has historically provided clues for Epsom, and her odds have contracted to 10/1 as a result.
Giselle’s style is more about late acceleration, and her ability to handle undulating tracks like Lingfield bodes well for the unique demands of Epsom.
Whirl
Completing the Ballydoyle trio is Whirl, partnered by Wayne Lordan. Whirl’s credentials were enhanced by a victory in the Musidora Stakes at York, a race that has produced several Oaks winners in the past.
She is available at around 5/1 in the betting, reflecting both her form and the respect punters have for O’Brien’s ability to prepare multiple live contenders.
Epsom Oaks Odds
*correct at time of publishing
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Desert Flower | 7/4 |
| Minnie Hauk | 4/1 |
| Whirl | 5/1 |
| Elwateen | 9/1 |
| Giselle | 10/1 |
| Revoir | 10/1 |
| Wemightakedlongway | 16/1 |
| Qilin Queen | 28/1 |
| Go Go Boots | 50/1 |
The O’Brien Oaks Blueprint
O’Brien’s approach to the Oaks is methodical. He rarely relies on a single standout; instead, he often fields multiple runners, each with a slightly different profile.
This strategy has yielded dividends time and again, as seen with previous winners like Minding (2016), Love (2020), and Snowfall (2021).
Each filly brought a unique set of strengths, but all were primed to peak at Epsom.
The Ballydoyle operation is renowned for its attention to detail, from the selection of trials to the allocation of jockeys.
Ryan Moore, O’Brien’s go-to rider for the biggest days, takes the mount on Minnie Hauk, a possible indication of stable confidence.
Yet, in recent years, it has not been unusual for O’Brien’s “second string” to upstage their more fancied stablemates, as seen with Was (2012) and Qualify (2015).
Can O’Brien Do It Again?
The question on everyone’s lips: can Aidan O’Brien win his 11th Oaks? The answer, as ever, is nuanced.
On form, Desert Flower is the standout. She has already proven herself at Group 1 level and comes into the race unbeaten.
However, the Oaks is a searching test of stamina and temperament, and Epsom’s undulations have undone many a favourite in the past.
O’Brien’s trio all arrive with strong trial form, each having won a key prep race, a testament to the depth of talent at Ballydoyle this year.
Minnie Hauk, with her blend of stamina and tactical speed, looks the most likely to challenge the favourite.
Giselle’s Lingfield win suggests she will relish the trip and the track, while Whirl’s Musidora triumph marks her as a filly on the up.
O’Brien’s record with multiple runners is formidable. He has often defied the betting, with supposed outsiders landing the spoils.
The stable’s ability to deliver fillies to peak on the day, combined with the experience of jockeys like Moore, Keane, and Lordan, means none of the Ballydoyle trio can be discounted.
The Verdict
While Desert Flower deserves her place at the head of the market, it would be no surprise to see one of O’Brien’s fillies mount a serious challenge.
Minnie Hauk, in particular, has the profile of a Classic winner – well-bred, progressive, and proven over a similar trip.
Giselle and Whirl also bring strong credentials and could easily outrun their odds.
History shows that when it comes to the Epsom Oaks, Aidan O’Brien is never far from the winner’s enclosure.
With three live chances, the Ballydoyle maestro is once again poised to play a leading role in one of racing’s great dramas.
Whether he can add an eleventh Oaks to his glittering CV remains to be seen, but few would bet against him pulling off yet another major win at Epsom.
As the fillies line up for the Classic on Friday, all eyes will be on the blue silks of Godolphin and the purple and white of Coolmore.
The Oaks, as ever, is set to deliver a race rich in history, intrigue, and, perhaps, another O’Brien triumph.
BETFRED
