Epsom Oaks 2025 Odds: Desert Flower Blooms as Favourite Ahead of Epsom Showpiece
Friday 6 June, 4:00pm – Epsom Downs
As Ladies’ Day looms at Epsom, the 2025 Betfred Oaks is primed to steal the spotlight. Taking place on Friday 6 June, this 1m4f Classic will see the crème de la crème of three-year-old fillies from Britain and Ireland tackle the famously undulating Epsom track. With a blend of tactical guile, raw stamina, and a touch of nerve required to prevail, it’s little wonder this is considered one of the sternest tests in the Flat racing calendar.
Last year, Ezeliya wrote her name into the history books with an emphatic triumph, handing Dermot Weld his second Oaks win – a cool 43 years after his first. That victory offered a satisfying bit of symmetry and left punters with a nostalgic glint in their eye. Fast forward twelve months, and attention now pivots to a new wave of Classic hopefuls, with one filly in particular commanding all the early headlines.
Desert Flower Heads the Market – But Can She Stay the Trip?
Clear at the top of the betting for the 2025 Oaks is Desert Flower, available at 7/4 with William Hill – who are going Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets offer for new customers. And with a filly like this on the prowl, it’s no wonder punters are sniffing around for free bet bonuses.
Unbeaten in five career starts, the Charlie Appleby-trained daughter of Night Of Thunder has already scooped up two Group 1 prizes. First came the 2024 Fillies’ Mile, which served as a rather stylish calling card. Then she bolted up in the 1000 Guineas this spring, putting Lake Victoria firmly in her place by over two lengths. Ridden by the ever-polished William Buick, she displayed that telling turn of foot and trademark poise that oozes star quality.
Yet, while Desert Flower looks the part and certainly talks the talk, there’s one nagging question she’s yet to answer – can she stay a mile and a half? Her pedigree screams miler, and while she handled Newmarket’s dips and swells like a seasoned veteran, Epsom is another beast entirely. Still, when you’re five from five, confidence tends to flow freely.
Ballydoyle’s Army Looms Large
Of course, no Classic preview is complete without a few words on the House of O’Brien. Aidan O’Brien, the master of Ballydoyle, knows his way to the Oaks winner’s enclosure like most of us know our way to the kettle. With nine previous wins in the race, he’s not just knocking on history’s door – he’s got a key.
This year, O’Brien’s primary hopes rest with three well-fancied fillies – Whirl, Minnie Hauk and Giselle – and none can be discounted lightly.
Whirl, currently hovering around 6/1, caught the eye with a stylish win in the Musidora Stakes. She travelled like a Rolls-Royce and put the race to bed without so much as flicking an ear. That performance alone puts her firmly in the frame – and punters looking to use their bookmaker free bets might find her the each-way play of the race.
Then there’s Minnie Hauk, winner of the Cheshire Oaks and trading at around 13/2. She may not have the headline-grabbing form of her stablemate, but there’s a sturdiness to her running style and she’s bred to relish every yard of Epsom’s 1m4f challenge. A classic grinder with a touch of class.
And finally, Giselle, a proven stayer who dug deep to land the Lingfield Oaks Trial, is best priced at 11/2. While she may lack the razzle-dazzle of some of her rivals, her gritty nature and experience over the trip make her an intriguing contender. She’s the kind you can’t rule out – especially in a race that has a habit of springing surprises when the camber starts playing tricks on tired legs.
The Final Word
So, who’s going to be crowned queen of the Downs come Friday afternoon? Desert Flower’s glittering record and electric acceleration make her the one they all have to beat – but question marks over her stamina do linger like a stubborn British drizzle.
With Aidan O’Brien fielding a formidable trio, each possessing different strengths, it could all come down to the whims of the race – positioning, tempo, and the infamous Epsom rollercoaster finish.
For those looking to liven up their Oaks day, a flutter with a leading bookmaker – especially with that Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets with William Hill offer – might just add an extra thrill to proceedings. And let’s face it, if you’re going to dive into the form book, you might as well do it with a bonus bet or two in your back pocket.
Whether it’s Desert Flower’s turn to bloom once more or one of Ballydoyle’s battalion who springs the ambush, one thing’s for certain – the 2025 Betfred Oaks is set to be an absolute cracker.
