We have highly competitive odds and a diverse range of betting markets for the Epsom Oaks coming soon.
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The Oaks Stakes, more widely referred to as the Epsom Oaks, is one of the biggest and most popular horse races in the UK, and it remains synonymous with the similarly iconic Epsom Derby.
After all, both events take place during the same weekend and at the same race festival, with the Oaks usually scheduled for the day before the Derby.
They’re both among the five ‘Classic’ flat races in the UK, too, preceded by the 1000 and 2000 Guineas and followed by the St. Leger towards the end of the year.
At Parimatch, we offer extensive coverage of the Oaks Stakes, which includes highly competitive odds and a diverse range of betting markets.
But when does this race typically take place, and what should you look for when picking potential winners?
The Epsom Oaks is categorised as a Group 1 flat horse, contested over a distance of one mile and four furlongs (or 2,420 metres). It takes place annually and usually towards the end of May or in early June.
The race is open to three-year-old fillies only and is always contested at the historic Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. Although it’s not quite as lucrative or financially rewarding as the Derby, it boasted a total prize fund of £573,150 in 2025, with the winner receiving a cheque of £325,033.
Interestingly, the event is named after The Oaks, an estate situated to the east of Epsom, which was leased to the 12th Earl of Derby during the 18th century.
He and his esteemed guests developed the idea for the race during a party at the estate in 1778, with the event subsequently inaugurated as the ‘Oakes Stakes’ the following year.
This makes the Epsom Oaks the second oldest of the UK’s five Classic races, after the St Leger (inaugurated in 1776). It even outdates the Derby by a single year, while it continues to serve as the middle leg of the so-called “Fillies’ Triple Crown”, following the aforementioned 1000 Guineas and preceding the St Leger.
Robert Robson remains the most successful trainer in Epsom Oaks history, after training 13 winners between 1802 and 1825.
The only man likely to threaten his record is Aidan O’Brien, who has 11 Oaks winners under his belt, and with such an exceptional recent record in this race (O’Brien has trained seven of the last 11 winners), we wouldn’t be surprised to see him at least match Robson’s record in the coming years.
Frank Buckle’s nine Epsom Oaks wins between 1797 and 1823 see him top the leaderboard as the Oaks’ most successful jockey of all time.
Before retiring from the British circuit, Frankie Dettori loved racing in the Oaks, winning seven times between 1994 and 2023. Of the current crop, Ryan Moore has won the Oaks five times, most recently riding Minnie Hauk to victory in 2025.
Despite records being held by trainers and jockeys who are no longer with us, relatively recent races have also entered the record books for all the right reasons.
Ryan Moore’s triumph aboard Love for Aidan O’Brien was the fastest ever time run at the Epsom Oaks in the race’s 240+ year history, and his incredible run of 2:34.06 just edged Enable’s 2017 win under Frankie Dettori, which was clocked at 2:34.13.
A year later, Frankie Dettori, aboard Snowfall for Aidan O’Brien, secured the biggest winning margin in the race’s history, winning the Oaks by 16 lengths.
As with most horse racing events of this type, the Oaks unlocks a vast range of betting markets at Parimatch. Some of these are more popular than others, so here’s a breakdown of the most widely bet on Epsom Oaks markets and a brief introduction to each one:
Win Betting: This market needs very little explanation, as it simply requires you to pick the winner of the Oaks. Ante-post odds are typically published well in advance of the race, and betting early may allow you to unlock additional value and more competitive prices. For example, you can back favourites before betting volumes drive their odds lower or wager on competitively priced outsiders before their prices start to drift as the race draws closer.
Each-Way Betting: When you place an each-way bet, you’re backing your chosen runner to both win the race and finish in the designated places. In essence, this wager involves splitting your stake evenly between two different outcomes, thereby increasing your chances of earning at least some kind of return. However, this type of bet is synonymous with slightly lower payouts and is most popular among novices or risk-averse punters.
Place Betting: This market offers odds on your selected runners to finish in the places, with the precise terms determined by the number of runners fielded. This type of wager pays out according to so-called “place terms”, which dictate that the bet will be settled at 1/5 of the ‘win’ odds.
Regardless of how you intend to wager on the Epsom Oaks, it’s crucial that you research the available markets and runners in detail before committing your hard-earned money. To help you in this respect, here are some key Oaks betting insights that can help to inform your picks:
Look Out for Aidan O’Brien Trained Runners: Aidan O’Brien remains one of the best and most prolific trainers on the flat racing circuit, and he has a particularly outstanding track record at Epsom. O’Brien has trained 11 Epsom Oaks winners and has an excellent record in the Derby, too, becoming the leading trainer in the race’s history with 11 triumphs after Lambourn’s success in 2025. So, if you want to narrow your search ahead of this year’s race, choosing a horse from O’Brien’s stable could be a good strategy.
Remember That the Favourite Rarely Prospers in the Oaks: Like most G1 outings, the Oaks tends to boast an incredibly high quality and competitive field. So, it should come as no surprise that the starting favourite only prevailed in five of the 20 race renewals between 2003 and 2025. So, while you can’t automatically discount the Oaks’ favourite, it’s worth analysing the field in full before placing your bets.
Look for Horses with One Career Win in Flat Races: You might not be surprised to learn that backing a horse with previous flat race success is a smart move ahead of the Epsom Oaks. For instance, 2024 winner Ezeliya won at Navan and Cork before winning the Oaks, while 2025 winner, Minnie Hauk, won at Leopardstown and Chester before triumphing at Epsom. While outside chances can win in favourable conditions at Epsom, it often pays to pick a horse with a winning pedigree going into this race.
Remember, these insights should be considered part of a more comprehensive and rounded race analysis, as this is key to wagering responsibly. We also operate our very own Safer Gambling Portal at Parimatch, enabling you to control your deposit limits and always wager within your means.
