Race-day Read · Friday 5 June 2026

The Oaks 2026

This final list of runners for this years Oaks

Off in 16:00
Course Epsom
Distance 1m4f6y
Going Good to Soft
View full racecard Epsom · 16:00
The Field

9 declared runners.

Every horse, every angle. Ratings, pedigree, jockey bookings and Mr Fox's capsule note — or the API spotlight when the editor hasn't overlaid their own take.

3YO · 9-2

A La Prochaine silks A La Prochaine

4.0 Fox's conviction
SR 88 AI rating
SP 18/1 Current
▲ Drifter — out from 10/1 → 16/1
Jockey
James Doyle
Trainer
Ralph Beckett
TS 75
Bottom half
RPR 109
Bottom half
Form 1-3
2 runs · 1 win · 1 place
Fox's Verdict Confidence: MEDIUM

She has an attractive German pedigree and was bought for 550,000gns as a yearling; won at Newbury (1m, soft) last October on sole 2yo start and beaten about 3l by Amelia Earhart when third in the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, good) on last month's reappearance; she still looked a work in progress last time (slowly away and outpaced turning for home) and could have lots more to offer; slow ground might aid her cause; interesting.

  • Expected improvement High
  • Track suitability Likely
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2 · HB

Amelia Earhart silks Amelia Earhart

4.0 Fox's conviction
SR 92 AI rating
SP 9/4 Current
Jockey
Ryan Moore
Trainer
A P O'Brien
TS 96
Bottom half
RPR 117
Bottom half
Form 2241-1
5 runs · 2 wins · 2 places
Fox's Verdict Confidence: MEDIUM-HIGH

Built upon previous promise (including on soft ground) when easily winning a maiden at Leopardstown (1m, yielding) last October on her fifth start, and reappeared with 2l win in Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, good) where she wore a hood and blinkers for the first time (retained today); she's followed the same route on her last two races as Minnie Hauk, who won this for Ballydoyle 12 months ago, and Ryan Moore rides; major player.

  • Expected improvement Medium
  • Track suitability Unclear
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

Cameo silks Cameo

3.0 Fox's conviction
SR 97 AI rating
SP 15/2 Current
▼ Steamer — shortened from 15/2 → 7/1
Jockey
Wayne Lordan
Trainer
A P O'Brien
TS 105
Bottom half
RPR 117
Bottom half
Form 314-51
5 runs · 2 wins · 1 place
Fox's Verdict Confidence: MEDIUM

7f maiden winner (soft to heavy) who took a big step forward with a convincing win in the Listed Oaks Trial at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) last month on her sixth start, which was her first run beyond 1m; Ryan Moore was on board last time and rides stablemate Amelia Earhart this afternoon, but she was certainly impressive at Lingfield and is unexposed at the trip; chance.

  • Expected improvement Medium
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

K Sarra silks K Sarra

3.0 Fox's conviction
SR 93 AI rating
SP 22/1 Current
▲ Drifter — out from 16/1 → 18/1
Jockey
Rossa Ryan
Trainer
Ralph Beckett
TS 106
Top half
RPR 118
Top half
Form 1-03
3 runs · 1 win · 1 place
Fox's Verdict Confidence: MEDIUM

Sister to connections' 10.2f/1m4f Group 2 winner Pride Of Arras; comfortable win at Southwell (1m, AW) last November on sole 2yo start and the drop to 7f was against her in the Fred Darling at Newbury (good) on her return; left that run well behind when staying on for third in the Group 3 Musidora at York (10.2f, good) last month, beaten just over 2l by Legacy Link; looks set to relish this step up in trip and she could be a serious force.

  • Expected improvement Medium
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

Legacy Link silks Legacy Link

4.0 Fox's conviction
SR 102 AI rating
SP 3/1 Current
▼ Steamer — shortened from 7/2 → 3/1
Jockey
Colin Keane
TS 110
Top 25%
RPR 123
Top 25%
Form 314-1
4 runs · 2 wins · 1 place
Fox's Verdict Confidence: HIGH

All four starts on good to firm/good ground; rallied for fourth in a hot running of the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October on her final 2yo run, and she reappeared with a hard-fought win in the Group 3 Musidora at York (10.2f), asserting close home; there is every chance that she will stay 1m4f and her pedigree provides optimism that she will be effective on slow ground; dam is a sister to Frankel; firmly in calculations.

  • Expected improvement High
  • Track suitability Likely
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

On Message silks On Message

2.0 Fox's conviction
SR 93 AI rating
SP 22/1 Current
▼ Steamer — shortened from 25/1 → 16/1
Jockey
Hector Crouch
Trainer
Ralph Beckett
TS 91
Bottom half
RPR 108
Bottom half
Form 451-13
5 runs · 2 wins · 1 place
Fox's Verdict Confidence: MEDIUM-HIGH

Won Wolverhampton novice (7f, AW) last October on third start and followed up on handicap/seasonal debut here (8.5f, good) in April; kept on strongly for 1l third in Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood (1m2f, good) 13 days ago; she has plenty to find on form but the step up in trip could prompt further improvement and she might not be a forlorn hope each-way.

  • Expected improvement Low
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

Sugar Island silks Sugar Island

2.0 Fox's conviction
SR 92 AI rating
SP 25/1 Current
▲ Drifter — out from 18/1 → 25/1
Jockey
Ronan Whelan
Trainer
A P O'Brien
TS 106
Top half
RPR 115
Bottom half
Form 5391-4
5 runs · 1 win · 1 place
Fox's Verdict Confidence: LOW

Third in Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last September and readily made all in Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh (1m, heavy) in October; she could improve for last month's comeback run in the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, good) but has work to do with stablemate Amelia Earhart and A La Prochaine on that form; others preferred.

  • Expected improvement Low
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

Thundering On silks Thundering On

5.0 Fox's conviction
SR 100 AI rating
SP 4/1 Current
▼ Steamer — shortened from 9/2 → 7/2
TS 93
Bottom half
RPR 118
Top half
Form 42-21
4 runs · 1 win · 2 places
Fox's Verdict Confidence: HIGH

By Frankel and dam won the 1m2f Group 1 Pretty Polly for connections; she's improved with each of her four starts and comfortably won the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan (1m2f, good to yielding) in April when upped in trip; has shown promise on heavy ground; powered clear in the final furlong last time, providing hope that she will stay 1m4f, and she's one to consider.

  • Expected improvement High
  • Track suitability Likely
  • AI win chance 99%
3YO · 9-2

Venetian Lace silks Venetian Lace

3.0 Fox's conviction
SR 98 AI rating
SP 12/1 Current
Jockey
William Buick
TS 115
Top 25%
RPR 122
Top 25%
Form 4362-3
5 runs · 0 wins · 3 places
Fox's Verdict Confidence: MEDIUM-HIGH

0-6 since debut win on AW last June and unproven on slow ground; however, she was a fine second in a red-hot running of the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October and reappeared with an excellent third in the 1,000 Guineas there (1m) last month; made the running on her last two starts; by Derby winner Masar and rallied in the closing stages last time, so it's possible that this sizeable step up in trip will suit; not ruled out.

  • Expected improvement Medium
  • Track suitability Unclear
  • AI win chance 99%
Stalls & Surface

The grid at a glance.

Saddle-cloth numbers below — tap any stall to jump straight to the horse's capsule.

The Fox's Verdict

Race-day call.

While much of the pre-race discussion has understandably centred around the Ballydoyle battalion, there is a growing sense that Thundering On could be the filly ready to announce herself on the biggest stage. Joseph O'Brien's daughter of Frankel produced an eye-catching display in the Salsabil Stakes and is shaping like a filly with plenty more to offer over this longer trip. Her pedigree screams stamina. The principal danger may be A La Prochaine, who shaped much better than the bare result in the Cheshire Oaks and looks the type to improve significantly for both the step up in distance and the unique demands of Epsom. If handling the track, she possesses the class and untapped potential to throw down a serious challenge, but the vote goes to Thundering On, whose blend of stamina, progression and proven determination makes her a compelling Oaks selection.

The Fox's Ticket

  1. 2pt win THUNDERING ON

Suggested staking. Please gamble responsibly — 18+ only, BeGambleAware.org.

The Honest Record

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This week

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Mr Fox's call here

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