Who Will Blossom at Epsom? Desert Flower the One to Beat in 2025 Betfred Oaks

Who Will Blossom at Epsom? Desert Flower the One to Beat in 2025 Betfred Oaks

Friday 6 June, 4pm – Epsom Downs

Ladies’ Day at Epsom Downs is nearly upon us, and that can mean only one thing – it’s Oaks time. The 2025 Betfred Oaks takes place on Friday 6 June, and as ever, this Classic contest promises a stern examination of stamina, style, and bottle as a clutch of top three-year-old fillies from both sides of the Irish Sea prepare to tackle the rollercoaster that is Epsom’s 1m4f course.

It’s the third Classic of the season, and it rarely disappoints. Last year, Dermot Weld rolled back the years as Ezeliya galloped home with authority, notching a second Oaks win for the veteran trainer some 43 years after his first. Poetic stuff. But now the stage is set for a new heroine – and there’s a rather flashy favourite waiting in the wings.

Desert Flower Tops the Betting – But Is She Built for Epsom?

Leading the charge in the 2025 renewal is the unbeaten Desert Flower, available at a punchy 7/4 with William Hill – who are offering Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets for new customers. Quite the sweetener, especially with a filly like this headlining the card.

Desert Flower has done absolutely nothing wrong thus far. She’s five from five, trained by Charlie Appleby and steered by the ice-cool William Buick. Her CV already includes a Group 1 double – first the 2024 Fillies’ Mile, then the 2025 1000 Guineas, where she dispatched Lake Victoria with ease, finishing over two lengths clear in commanding fashion.

But – and there’s always a but with these things – there is a slight niggle over her stamina. She’s by Night Of Thunder, a sire known more for milers than marathon types, and while she handled Newmarket’s quirks with aplomb, Epsom’s undulations and long home straight are a different kettle of fish. Can she see out the mile and a half? That’s the million-pound question.

O’Brien’s Triple Threat Looms Large

Of course, when it comes to the Oaks, you can never ignore the O’Brien operation. Aidan O’Brien has practically taken out a season ticket to the winner’s enclosure here, having saddled nine previous Oaks winners. And wouldn’t you know it – he’s bringing a trio of well-fancied runners once again.

First up, Whirl. She put in a real eye-catching performance in the Musidora Stakes, travelling like a Rolls-Royce before surging clear with something up her sleeve. Currently trading around 6/1, she’s the sort of filly that catches the imagination. Smooth, stylish, and with that Ballydoyle polish.

Next, there’s Minnie Hauk – a name that might sound like a Bond villain, but make no mistake, she means business. A gutsy winner of the Cheshire Oaks, she’s currently around 13/2 in the market and looks like the type who’ll keep finding all the way to the line. Not flashy, but there’s a lot to like.

And then there’s Giselle, who prevailed in the Lingfield Oaks Trial with a gritty, grinding display. At 11/2, she’s the shortest of the O’Brien contingent – a proven stayer with an honest engine and a fighting spirit. The kind of filly who might not win any beauty pageants, but could well win the war.

Can the Favourite Deliver, or Will the Ballydoyle Brigade Spoil the Party?

So, who should punters be siding with as Oaks Day approaches? On paper, Desert Flower is the standout – unbeaten, explosive, and oozing class. But this isn’t a paper race, and Epsom is no place for passengers. Her stamina remains untested at this trip, and with a few hardy stayers in behind, it could all get very interesting in the final two furlongs.

O’Brien’s trio will be snapping at her heels, each one bringing something different to the table. Whirl’s got the class, Minnie Hauk the grit, and Giselle the stamina – not a bad cocktail to bring to a Classic.

With bookmakers ramping up the offers for Oaks Day, there’s plenty of incentive to dip your toe into the betting pool. William Hill’s Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets offer is as good a place to start as any – especially if you fancy a cheeky each-way poke or two.

Final Thoughts

As the fillies line up at Epsom on 6 June, the question remains – will Desert Flower blossom once more, or will one of Ballydoyle’s battle-hardened brigade steal her thunder? Either way, it’s set to be a cracking renewal of the Oaks, full of intrigue, class, and no doubt a few flutter-fuelled heartbreaks.

And if nothing else, it’s a grand excuse to dust off the fascinator, grab a glass of fizz, and shout at the telly with a free bet in hand. What’s not to love?