By the time the Epsom Oaks and Derby roll around, the Flat season will be well underway with all of the high-profile runners, riders, and trainers back in action – all hoping to boost the coffers and the trophy cabinets.
The Derby and Oaks are two of the most prestigious races on the calendar and are scheduled to take place on June 6th and 7th, 2025. These Classic races promise to showcase the cream of the three-year-old crop, with fillies taking centre stage in the Oaks and three-year-olds vying for glory in the Derby.
The 2024 editions of these races set a high bar for the upcoming year. In the Oaks, trainer Dermot Weld claimed victory with Ezeliya, marking a remarkable 43-year gap since his previous win in the race with Blue Wind.
The Derby, meanwhile, saw City of Troy storm to an impressive victory, giving trainer Aidan O'Brien his record-extending tenth win in the Classic and jockey Ryan Moore his fourth.
As we look ahead to the 2025 renewals, the racing community is abuzz with speculation about potential contenders and likely outcomes. So, just how will races play out, and which potential runners are riding high with the best bookies offers on the betting markets?
Epsom Oaks
In the Oaks (Friday, June 6th), early betting markets suggest a competitive field, with Lake Victoria and Desert Flower sharing ante-post favouritism. These fillies have shown promise in their juvenile seasons, but as history has shown, form can change dramatically in the lead-up to Epsom.
Lake Victoria, trained by the ever-formidable Aidan O'Brien, has impressed in her early outings with a turn of foot that suggests she'll handle the undulations of Epsom with aplomb.
She is currently on five wins from five runs, the last three of which were Group 1 races, including her victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in November.
She has a couple of options ahead of Epsom, including the 1000 Guineas stakes at Newmarket on May 4th and the 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on May 25th.
It’s conceivable that she could run in both before Epsom, but it’s unlikely that O’Brien would run her in all three so he has some tough decisions to make over the next couple of months.
Desert Flower, on the other hand, hails from the Godolphin operation and has demonstrated a level of stamina that bodes well for the testing mile and a half of the Oaks.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Desert Flower is just marginally behind Lake Victoria in terms of form, with four wins from four runs. There’s only one Group 1 win in there, and that was last time out at Newmarket in October.
She, too, has options in both of the 1000 Guineas races in the UK and Ireland in May, but it remains to be seen whether connections will want a showdown with O’Brien before the Oaks.
Not to be overlooked are Giselle and Dreamy, who are slightly behind the leaders in the betting. Giselle, in particular, has caught the eye of many observers with her fluid action and apparent ease over longer distances.
While less exposed, Dreamy also comes from Aidan O’Brien and could well improve as she sets out in the coming flat season.
Epsom Derby
Turning our attention to the Derby, The Lion In Winter stands out as the early ante-post favourite. Not only is he trained by Aidan O'Brien, but he also has the same owners as Lake Victoria in Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier.
The colt has already demonstrated his class with impressive victories at The Curragh and York in 2024 and, with his speed and stamina, looks a formidable contender for Derby glory.
However, the Derby is never a one-horse race. Ruling Court has shown steady improvement and could pose a serious threat.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, who has enjoyed recent success in the race, Ruling Court's defeat to The Lion In Winter in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York may not tell the whole story of his potential.
Also in the mix is Opera Ballo, a colt who has been turning heads in his morning work. While less exposed than some of his rivals, his connections are bullish about his Classic prospects.
Twain, another potential O'Brien runner, brings winning form from both Ireland and France to the table. His versatility could prove crucial on Derby day.
Expanded rounds out our list of early contenders. While his longer antepost odds might suggest he's an outsider, it's worth remembering that the Derby has a history of producing surprise winners, and Expanded's progressive profile means he cannot be discounted.
Prep Before Epsom
As we edge closer to June, the picture for both Classics will undoubtedly evolve. Trial races in the spring will separate the wheat from the chaff, and we may well see new contenders emerge from the pack.
The unique challenge of Epsom's undulating track, with its camber and the infamous Tattenham Corner, means that not all horses who show promise elsewhere will necessarily translate that form to this idiosyncratic course.
For punters looking to get involved early, it's worth noting that favourites have a respectable record in recent years, with five winning favorites in the Oaks over the last 20 renewals.
However, the Derby can be more unpredictable, as evidenced by Qualify's shock 50/1 victory in 2015.
The build-up to Epsom will be punctuated by key trial races and stable whispers. Keep an eye on performances in races like the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, as well as the Dante Stakes at York and the Lingfield Derby Trial.
These races often provide valuable clues about a horse's ability to handle the distance and pressure of a Classic.
Trainers To Watch
It's also worth considering the human factors at play. Trainers like Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Appleby have dominated these races in recent years, but the Classics always have the potential to crown new champions among trainers and jockeys alike.
Aidan O’Brien has won six of the last ten Epsom Oaks, with John Gosden winning three and only Dermot Weld breaking their stronghold in 2024 with Ezeliya.
It’s not quite as onesided in the Derby, where O’Brien has won five of the last ten renewals with John Gosden, Charlie Appleby, Dermot Weld, and Sir Michael Stoute sharing the other five wins.
The booking of top jockeys can be a significant indicator of a horse's chances, so watch out for any notable jockey arrangements as the races draw nearer.
Ahead of Epsom Downs
As we approach the first weekend of June 2025, Epsom Downs will once again become the focal point of the racing world. The Oaks and Derby represent not just the pinnacle of achievement for three-year-old thoroughbreds but also a continuation of a racing heritage that stretches back to the 18th century.
The 2025 renewals promise to be as thrilling and unpredictable as ever. While early favourites like The Lion In Winter and Lake Victoria carry the weight of expectation, the beauty of these Classics lies in their capacity to produce memorable upsets and launch new equine stars into the racing firmament.
Whether you're planning to attend in person, watch from home, or have a flutter on the outcome, the 2025 Epsom Oaks and Derby promise to deliver all the drama, excitement, and sporting excellence that have made these races enduring highlights of the British sporting calendar.
