O'Brien and Gosden favoured to extend domination of Epsom Oaks

Mark Smith - Friday June 3

For the best part of a decade, Aidan O'Brien and John Gosden have carved up the Epsom Oaks, and it's likely to be a similar story when the classic takes place in the early hours of Saturday morning (eastern Australian time).

John Gosden and his son Thady have the favourite Emily Upjohn and likely second favourite Nashwa.

A daughter of Sea The Stars, Emily Upjohn has won all three starts, most recently a five and a half-length romp in the Group III Musidora Stakes at York.

Emily Upjohn (image Racing Post)

Emily Upjohn is out of the stakes-placed Barathea mare Hidden Brief a sister to Hazarist, who placed in the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. Hidden Brief is a three-quarter sister to the dam of Epsom Derby and Irish Derby winner Harzand, who, like Emily Upjohn, is by Sea The Stars.

Frankie Dettori rides Emily Upjohn while Hollie Doyle is on stablemate Nashwa.

A daughter of Frankel, Nashwa came from well back to win the Listed Fillies Trial at Newbury.

Her stakes-winning dam Princess Loulou (Pivotal) finished second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet.

Aidan O'Brien has the numbers. Since winning with Shahtoush in 1998, O'Brien has been in the winner's circle nine times, including five of the last seven.

He has four of the eleven acceptors, with the most fancied being Ryan Moore's mount Tuesday.

Advertisement

Tuesday (Galileo) is a half-sister to the  2016 Epsom Oaks heroine Minding and last year's One Thousand Guineas winner Empress Josephine.

The sire of two of the last four Oaks winners, Galileo has Thoughts Of June and Tuesday running for him

Another O'Brien-trained daughter of Galileo that has her admirers is the Moyglare Stud colour-bearer Thoughts Of June. She is coming off a win in the Listed Cheshire Oaks, defeating Above The Curve. At her next start, that daughter of American Pharoah (USA) came out and won the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary.

Aidan O'Brien also has the highly-regarded Dubawi filly Concert Hall, which had little luck at her most recent start when third in the Group 1 Irish Thousand Guineas at the Curragh.

Joseph O'Brien has a contender with last start Group III Blue Wind Stakes winner Tranquil Lady.

The daughter of Australia is a half-sister to Group 1 Cox Plate winner State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner).

Godolphin relies on the Charlie Appleby-trained With The Moonlight, a homebred daughter of Frankel.  

Out of the Group II winning Dubawi mare Sand Vixen, With The Moonlight impressed with a four and three-quarter length romp in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Justify Double At Canterbury – Relations to both sell at Inglis Easter
Favourite backers were cheering on Friday night at Canterbury when odds on chances Willingham and Just Maz took out races three and four with the promising pair of winners both 3yos by Coolmore’s Justify (USA).
Hello Youmzain 2YO Set to Star for Sharrock
Saturday is shaping to be a busy day for Allan Sharrock, with stakes assignments both at home and away for the New Plymouth trainer.
Yulong Invest in Another Star Kiwi Filly
Yulong Investments have furthered their position among New Zealand’s racing ranks this week with the purchase of eye-catching Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Ohope Wins.
Breeding To Win- 2026 G3 Blue Diamond Preview Fillies
The road to the Blue Diamond is paved with big dreams and their reality is put to the test this Saturday when the babies of both sexes step out in the 1000m Blue Diamond Previews and if you love a filly with a big pedigree read on!
Bidding Open - Magic Millions Digital's Latest Line-Up Now Online
Buyers looking for a ready made racehorse and a star of the future will enjoy the opportunities on offer in the latest Magic Millions Digital (23-28 January) Sale which is now online with bidding open.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 22
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Millennium Order of Entry
Inglis have released an order of entry for the $2million Inglis Millennium to be run on February 7 at Randwick and two of the horses in the Top 20 won barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning.
MRC appoints Michael Suey as Head of Racecourses
Respected MRC track manager Michael Suey has been appointed the Melbourne Racing Club’s Head of Racecourses, with track managers at Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington reporting to him.
I Am Invincible Half-Sister To G1 Winner Manaal Breaks Maiden
Fourth on debut back in August, Michael Freedman’s 3yo I Am Invincible filly Rajwa was required to fight late, but the half-sister to G1 winner Manaal (Tassort) had too much in hand, breaking her maiden at Canterbury on Friday night for breeder/owner Emirates Park.
Inglis Challenge Moves to Wagga Gold Cup Carnival
The 2026 edition of the $200,000 Inglis Challenge for 2YOs will be run on Wagga Gold Cup Day at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) on Friday May 1.