AMelia Earhart

Unless Thundering On can oblige for Joseph O'Brien, or perhaps Venetian Lace for Charlie Johnston, then there will be a familar name on the trophy for the 2026 Betfred Oaks, with three trainers who each have previous in the Epsom Classic being responsible for the remaining seven runners between them. Aidan O'Brien is triple-handed in his quest for a remarkable 12th Oaks victory, likewise Ralph Beckett, who struck first with Look Here in 2008 and then Talent in 2013. More recently, O'Brien and the Gosdens have dominated, with all but...

Aidan O'Brien holds a strong hand for Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks, as Precise (Starspangledbanner) and Amelia Earhart (Camelot) are two of a dozen fillies remaining at the latest entry stage. Besides the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine and the Listed Chesire Oaks victress, O'Brien also fields Lingfield trial winner Cameo (Wootton Bassett), Beautify (Wootton Bassett), and Sugar Island (Dubawi). John and Thady Gosden will saddle G3 Musidora Stakes scorer Legacy Link (Dubawi). Gosden senior said on Saturday, "They're a good bunch of fillies and it looks like it's an exciting...

With just a few pieces of the jigsaw still to be slotted into place this week at York, the Epsom picture has emerged a little more clearly over the past week or so through some key Derby and Oaks trials at Chester, Lingfield and Leopardstown. Most have been dominated by Aidan O'Brien, including a clean sweep of the five stakes races on the Roodee. So where better to start than at Ballydoyle on a fresh Monday morning with a trainer in a jovial mood after bagging his second Classic of...

Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) is set to follow the same path to Epsom as last year's Classic hero, Lambourn (Australia), by contesting next month's G3 Chester Vase on the Roodee. Aidan O'Brien had been eyeing the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom as a stepping stone to the Derby for Benvenuto Cellini, who is a general 6/1 shot for the premier Classic after winning two of his four starts as a two-year-old, notably landing the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown, before finishing third in the G1 Futurity Trophy at...

Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) and Precise (Starspangledbanner), both Group 1-winning juveniles trained by Aidan O'Brien, headline 53 entries for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom on Friday, June 5. Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, Diamond Necklace was last seen winning the Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp, while Precise rattled off four straight victories as a two-year-old after being beaten on her debut at Fairyhouse, culminating with back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Fillies' Mile. In total, O'Brien has entered 15 fillies in his quest...

Trainer Aidan O'Brien is hopeful multiple Group 1 winner Precise (Starspangledbanner) will still make the starting gate for the G1 Betfred 1000 Guineas on May 3. A winner of four of her five starts, she is on the recovery trail after spiking a temperature a few weeks ago. "She's in good form, she had a temperature two or three weeks ago and we had to just back off her and slowly pick her back up," said O'Brien of his 2025 G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and G1 Fillies Mile heroine, who...

Sunday, Curragh, post time: 14:37, WELD PARK STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, f, 7fT Field: Alibah (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Amelia Earhart (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Black Caviar Gold (Ire) (Havana Grey {GB}), Kensington Lane (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Magny Cours (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Minerva (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Pivotal Attack (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Smexy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Zous And Me (Ire) (Zoustar {Aus}). TDN Analysis: She may have been beaten three times so far, but there is a sense that Aidan O'Brien holds Amelia Earhart in high regard and it is worth bearing in...

Saturday, Newmarket, post time: 15:00, THE TATTERSALLS MIDDLE PARK STAKES-G1, £291,580, 2yo, c, 6fT Field: Brussels (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Coppull (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), First Approach (Ire) (No Nay Never), Five Ways (GB) (Kameko), Havana Hurricane (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), Hilitany (GB) (Ubettabelieveit (Ire), Kansas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), The Publican's Son (Beau Liam), Wise Approach (Ire) Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Gstaad's absence has taken something away from this Middle Park, where Godolphin's Morny third Wise Approach sets the standard as he bids to emulate his half-brother Perfect Power...