Aidan O’Brien has nominated five fillies for the 2024 Epsom Oaks, with Precise and Amelia Earhart among the leading contenders for the 2400m Group 1 race on June 5 at Epsom Downs [1, 2]. Precise, a daughter of Starspangledbanner, recently won the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas and is expected to step up from 1600m to the Oaks distance [1, 2]. Amelia Earhart won the Listed Cheshire Oaks over 2300m and is regarded as an impressive candidate for the race [1, 2].
John and Thady Gosden have also entered a strong challenge with their filly Legacy Link, winner of the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York on May 13 [1, 2]. Legacy Link is a two-time winner who finished fourth behind Precise in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket last October, highlighting her experience at top level [1, 2]. Trainer John Gosden praised Legacy Link’s preparation at Epsom, saying, "She had a nice look at the place. It was perfect, she went up to the top of the old mile start, took a turn and then headed on down at half-speed before getting on the right lead and picking up well" [1]. Gosden added, "It’s a hard thing to rehearse through the corner anywhere else, unless you’ve had some specially built gallop. Going left-handed downhill is not the normal way you work horses" [1]. He also noted, "She’s a Musidora winner and she won that well at York. She showed a good attitude, and the extra distance seemed to suit her there" [2].
The Gosden team have a strong Epsom Oaks record with four previous winners: Taghrooda (2024), Enable (2017), Anapurna (2019), and Soul Sister (2023) [1, 2].
After the final confirmation stage on May 30, 12 fillies remain in contention for the Group 1 Epsom Oaks, set to run over 2400m at Epsom Downs [1, 2]. The field includes leading contenders from O’Brien and the Gosdens, among others.
The Epsom Oaks will take place at Epsom Downs on June 5, 2024.