Who will win the Oaks at Epsom? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. My Oaks predictions are now live, and I’m going for the Juddmonte team to breed their first winner of the fillies’ Classic since the brilliant Enable in 2017. I’m on – and you can get my full Epsom Oaks 2026 betting tips below.
The Oaks Horse Racing Preview: Best Bets for Friday at Epsom
| Race | Horse | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 – The Oaks | Legacy Link | 10/3 | William Hill |
| 4:00 – The Oaks | Cameo | 17/2 | William Hill |
| 2:40 – Diomed Stakes | Chancellor | 14/1 | StarSports |
| 3:15 – Handicap | Sallaal | 9/2 | bet365 |
Odds correct at 13:15 BST on 03/06/26. Odds subject to change.
My best bets for the Oaks centre around two impressive trial winners, especially Legacy Link. Much to my chagrin, the Epsom Clerk of the Course decided to water last Saturday, knowing rain was coming. Come it did, with more than 30mm falling on the track since Monday.
We’re heading for ground softer than good, but that doesn’t put a dampener on my Oaks betting tips. Standout odds for the Oaks come from William Hill, while my two supporting bets are priced by StarSports and bet365, two of the best horse racing bookies around.
No Expiry Date
2026 Oaks Best Bet: Legacy Link Ticks the Right Boxes
Aidan O’Brien, who has such a great record in this race, saddles the favourite Amelia Earhart, but I’m more than happy to take her on. She has been among the Oaks favourites since winning at Chester but, as is the case with the Derby as well, there is a big discrepancy between how the ground was described for the Cheshire Oaks, and how it was described at York.
At Chester, the ground was clearly riding extremely fast, leading to some winners producing quick times and exaggerated ratings. At York, where Legacy Link won the Musidora Stakes, the ground was riding a little slower than advertised. Owing to Amelia Earhart’s rating not being all it seems, as well as the rain having fallen at Epsom this week, she is a vulnerable favourite for me.
Legacy Link is different. She won the strongest trial, the Musidora Stakes, and did it in the style of a filly who won’t be stopping at the death in this mile and a half Classic. Trainer John Gosden has such a good record in this contest, and it’s clear he was happy with how his filly took to the track when having a spin around Epsom recently.
By Dubawi, sire of the winner and runner-up in 2024, Legacy Link is a first foal out of Chiasma who stayed every yard of this trip during her career. More to the point, Colin Keane’s mount got to the front up York’s unforgiving straight, was headed, then got back up again showing real tenacity. As pointed out during my interview with Paul Hanagan, she is just the right type for this race.
Why I’m Backing Legacy Link:
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Has the class and the form as the Musidora winner
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Top-class jockey is confident she’ll stay the trip
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Beautifully bred and will handle Epsom
The Oaks Danger Horse: Cameo to Play a Role
As is the case in the Derby, Aidan O’Brien has more than one runner able to compete. He may have pulled out Precise, who in my opinion wouldn’t have got a mile and a half in a horsebox, but he still has Lingfield Derby winner Cameo to support Amelia Earhart.
In fact, I think Cameo has a bigger chance than her well-touted stablemate. Though a daughter of Wootton Bassett, she is out of a Galileo mare, although she herself didn’t stay very far on the track. This filly did see out just short of a mile and a half at Lingfield in the Oaks Trial, winning by a wide margin, and she has been largely forgotten about since. That was a solid run, and she won her maiden on soft to heavy ground last year.
Why Cameo Is a Good Alternative Oaks Bet:
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Bigger price than Legacy Link, but also won her trial well
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Almost guaranteed to stay the trip, even on softer ground
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Trained by Aidan O’Brien, winner of eight of the last 14 renewals
The Epsom Downs Supporting Cast: Two More Selections
Don’t forget the undercard. Oaks Day is packed with talent, and I’m backing two more at Epsom on Friday.
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Chancellor – 2:40 (Diomed Stakes)
John & Thady Gosden’s runner may appreciate the break he’s had since his busy winter all-weather season. He showed some fine form on the artificial surfaces, has won on soft ground, and was once considered a Guineas horse. A classy type, he’s way overpriced here under Rab Havlin.
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Sallaal – 3:15 (Nifty 50 Handicap)
The second of my Friday horse racing tips away from the Oaks is Sallaal, a horse I’ve liked a lot since last year. He was given far too much to do having been travelling like a good thing when second at this track 38 days ago, but there will be no mistakes this time from rider Ray Dawson. He’s fit, is improving plenty, and is a nice price.
