Epsom Oaks runners 2026: Nine declared as Precise misses out

Aidan O’Brien has declared three horses for the 2026 Epsom Oaks. However, Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Precise was not among them due to recent rain.

The recent market support has all come for Amelia Earhart, a comfortable winner of the Cheshire Oaks on reappearance. The yard won the race with Minnie Hauk last season, who followed up at Epsom.

Though Precise is absent, O’Brien retains a very strong hand, including another Oaks trial winner in Cameo. The daughter of Wootton Bassett saw out the Lingfield Oaks Trial very strongly, though runner-up Prizeland was not declared to help prove the form. The other Ballydoyle representative, Sugar Island, helped set the pace for Amelia Earhart at Chester. However, she was under a penalty that day and prominent tactics often suit at Epsom.

Legacy Link out to give Gosdens their fifth Oaks

John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien have largely dominated the Oaks since 2012 with 12 wins between them, and Gosden has a strong chance with Legacy Link. The impeccably bred Dubawi filly, from the family of Frankel, was a gutsy winner of the Musidora. She looks destined to be suited by this step up in trip.

Staying on eye-catchingly behind Legacy Link in the Musidora was K Sarra. Ralph Beckett has won the race twice with Look Here in 2008 and Talent in 2013. K Sarra can be suited to this test, as she’s a sister to Great Voltigeur winner Pride Of Arras. For all her brother failed to perform in the Derby last year, they are both related to two other winners at Epsom.

Remaining quartet not out to make up numbers

As well as K Sarra, Ralph Beckett is as well represented as Aidan O’Brien. He has two further runners in A La Prochaine and On Message. The former was third to Amelia Earhart, though from a less convenient track position, at Chester. The latter also finished third in her warm-up at Goodwood, though was staying on powerfully over 1m2f.

Charlie Johnston’s Venetian Lace is the only filly with Classic form in the book. She was third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with her trainer confident that form can hold up well. Thundering On is the other candidate for Ireland. She is trained by Aidan’s son Joseph, and won the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes commandingly last time out.