Friday Focus: Breaking Down the 2026 Epsom Oaks Field
The Epsom Oaks returning to Epsom Downs on Friday, once again takes its place as one of the most prestigious and historic races in world Flat racing. Epsom’s unique track is a major part of the challenge, with its sharp undulations, a downhill run toward Tattenham Corner, and a demanding uphill finish that requires composure and tactical awareness.
Many outstanding fillies have been unable to master the course, which only adds to the prestige of winning the race and heightens the intrigue. We can expect that Friday’s renewal promises plenty of drama for racing fans, and for those following the meeting, CopyBet is offering an Overnight Best Odds Guaranteed promotion.
Amelia Earhart – Epson Downs
One of the leading names heading into the 2026 Epsom Oaks is the rapidly improving filly Amelia Earhart, who has growing support after her success in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester in 2026.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Amelia Earhart has quickly developed into one of the standout contenders for Friday’s Classic and is currently regarded as either the outright favourite or very close to the head of the market. Her two-length victory at Chester was widely viewed as one of the strongest Oaks trial performances of the spring and significantly boosted confidence in her Epsom prospects.
If she can reproduce or improve upon her Chester performance, Amelia Earhart has a genuine opportunity to become the latest high-class filly to capture the Oaks. The biggest remaining question is whether she can find another level against the very best of her generation over the Epsom challenge, but her profile already marks her out as one of the major contenders in Friday’s Classic.
Legacy Link –
Epson Downs
Among the emerging contenders for the 2026 Epsom Oaks, few fillies carry as much intrigue as Legacy Link, who suggests there may still be considerable improvement to come.
Despite her relative inexperience, she has already shown notable promise. She opened her account with a novice victory at Haydock over one mile in September 2025 before taking a significant step forward on her seasonal return in the Musidora Stakes at York.
While she may be as exposed as some of the more established favourites, Legacy Link looks very much like a serious place contender with the ability to challenge for outright victory if she continues her upward progression at Epsom.
Thundering On – Epson Downs
While much of the attention surrounding the 2026 Epsom Oaks has focused on the leading favourites, Thundering On arrives as one of the more lively contenders for the big race.
Her emergence into the Classic conversation followed an impressive performance in the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan, where she stayed on strongly to win by more than three lengths over 10 furlongs. Importantly, Thundering On has already competed against several well-regarded fillies, including Cameo and Sugar Island, meaning her form has substance rather than coming from weaker company.
At this stage, she is viewed more as an interesting each-way contender than a dominant market leader, but that may underestimate her potential upside. If she handles Epsom’s undulations and continues her upward progression from Navan, she has the ability to out-run her odds and potentially land this year’s Oaks.