There’s been plenty of talk ahead of this weekend, but it’s now time for the finalised fancies on Epsom Oaks Day 2025.
I look forward to this weekend every year, for obvious reasons. The uniqueness and complexities of Epsom are unmatched, and the sheer unknown that surrounds a few of these Classic hopefuls is always intriguing.
Below, I have three bets for the day, including a 16/1-shot in the Oaks. Let’s go.
Epsom Oaks Day 2025 Selections
1:30 Epsom – Hallasan @ 7/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win
I want to take on Diego Ventura in the Listed Surrey Stakes as I’m not too sold on his form/ability, and Hallasan is a worthy horse to do this with.
He should richly enjoy the return to seven furlongs having run over six at Ascot in April on what was his first UK start of 2025.
His two other runs of this year came in Meydan, one of which was when seventh behind stablemate Ruling Court, and the other saw him beat his other stablemate Al Qudra.
That effort in the Jumeirah Guineas didn’t go to plan as he wasn’t able to dictate from the front. This is something he did in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, and he could well get the same liberty tomorrow as he is one of the main pace angles alongside The Waco Kid.
As a juvenile, he beat the subsequent French Derby winner, Camille Pisarro, in the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes, and he looked very good when winning a Nottingham maiden on good to soft ground in July.
With race fitness on his side, the step up in trip should suit, and he’s my play.
4:00 Epsom – Minnie Hauk @ 9/2 with William Hill (1pt Win) & Wemightakedlongway @ 14/1 with William Hill (3 places) (0.5pt EW)
I’m really looking forward to the Oaks. If Desert Flower duly obliges on her first start at 1m4f with rain-softened ground, then that will be an epic performance.
For me, however, I’m backing Minnie Hauk and Wemightakedlongway, who were 1-2 in a Cork maiden last October.
Joseph O’Brien’s daughter of Australia was the winner that day, and she looked very impressive. She even went off a very competitive 2/1 on the day, with Minnie Hauk priced at 13/8, so there was obviously some confidence behind her.
From there, Wemightakedlongway went to the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes 18 days later and finished a respectable third behind Sigh No More and Trinity College. The latter has since finished fourth in the Prix du Jockey Club.
Her fifth to Delacroix and Lambourn in the Ballysax Stakes was a reasonable effort on her seasonal reappearance, and she sprinted through the line on soft ground over 1m2f in the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes.
She will handle any cut in the ground, and I’m intrigued by this step up in trip.
As for Minnie Hauk, for her first run of the season, she was impressive in the Cheshire Oaks. As with all Aidan O’Brien-trained runners, one can expect her to come on for the run, especially due to her size as she does look like a big filly.
Away from the form book, a look at her pedigree would excite anyone as she is by Frankel out of Kingman’s half-sister, Multilingual. That also makes her a half-sister to Tilsit, a Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes winner.
The rain will be of no hindrance to her chances, so I’ll keep her on side.
Oh, and Qilin Queen has been on my radar for this race ever since Newbury, but I have a bad feeling that the ground might have gone against her. Out of the Sea The Stars mare Seagull (good to firm winner), her half-brother, Savvy Knight, saved his best form for better ground and has been a non-runner on soft before. It’s a real shame for connections, but she is still a smart horse for this season.
