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As the National Hunt season gracefully bows out, the spotlight now shifts to the flat racing arena, where enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding drama of the major meetings.
The Oaks is one of the pinnacle events in the flat racing calendar. Held annually at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey, this Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies is steeped in history and prestige as one of the five British Classics.
The demanding distance of one mile, four furlongs, and six yards, combined with the challenging undulations of the track, makes the Oaks a true test of class, stamina, and agility.
With just a couple of months remaining until the prestigious Epsom Derby Festival, speculation is rife over who will be crowned the winner of the iconic Oaks, and the ante-post markets on online sports betting sites are alive with the whisper of potential contenders vying for glory.
As anticipation builds, several horses have emerged in the ante-post market, so let’s delve into the contenders shaping up for the 2024 Epsom Oaks.
Ballydoyle’s front-runners
Aidan O'Brien, the maestro of Ballydoyle Stables, is known for his prowess in shaping top-class fillies, and this year appears to be no exception.
The Irish handler, who has won the Oaks nine times in his glittering career, has two horses standing firm at the fore of the market.
Opera Singer, a beautifully bred filly by Justify and Liscanna has a pedigree stepped in excellence and is poised to lead the charge for O’Brien’s formidable contingent.
The three-year-old disappointed on debut, but has won three times since, including a Group 1 at Longchamp in October, and is currently the 7/1 favourite to win the Oaks.
Opera Singer is closely followed in the market by Ylang Ylang, who is priced at 8/1 at the time of writing. The Frankel x Shambolic filly has a sensational pedigree but had a questionable spell of form late last season, including finishing last at the Curragh in September.
The three-year-old bounced back to end the season with a victory in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October though and could firm up in the Oaks betting if she wins the 1000 Guineas.
Vanilla is another interesting prospect in the market for O’Brien. The Camelot x Attire filly is unraced at the time of writing but is in the top five of the betting at 20/1.
The Gosdens seeking back-to-back wins
Father and son duo John and Thady Gosden enjoyed their first Classic victory since taking out a joint license with Frankie Dettori riding Soul Sister to glory in the Oaks last year.
They will be aiming to retain their title this season and their best chance comes in the form of Regal Jubilee, who is the third favourite at 20/1 at the time of writing.
The three-year-old, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, is sired by Frankel and out of Regal Realm. She was ninth on debut at Newmarket in September but has won at Windsor and Newmarket since, including a Listed success back at HQ in November.
Andrew Balding aiming to end over a two-decade drought
While Andrew Balding has enjoyed two Classic wins in the 2000 Guineas in the last few years, it’s been over 20 years since the Kingsclere-based handler won the Oaks with 10/1 outsider Casual Look in 2003.
This year, Balding’s best chance appears to be with Sea The Fire, who is currently priced at 20/1 in the ant-post market.
The three-year-old’s form leaves a bit to be desired, however. Indeed, she won on debut at Newmarket last August, but a second at Doncaster and a third at Newmarket behind Ylang Ylang have followed.
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