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The fillies kick off the big Epsom features with The Oaks run at Epsom on Saturday.
One of the most famous winners was only recently when Enable took it out. Could another filly put their claims to being that good in 2020 in The Oaks (2420m) at Epsom on Saturday?
2020 THE OAKS - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Oaks is a Group 1 race run under Set Weights conditions for three year old fillies at Epsom conducted by the Jockey Club.
The Oaks is run over one mile, four furlongs and 6 yards for fillies. It was first run in 1779 and was won by Bridget.
It is the third of the Classic races run each season. It is the second oldest after the St Leger.
Run over the same course the day before the Derby, the Oaks is actually a year older than the Derby. Named after the land near the course, the race was invented at a party on that estate in 1778.
The originator of the race Lord Derby owned the first winner Bridget.
The great Enable won in 2017 and would subsequently win the Irish Oaks, King George VI, Yorkshire Oaks and then the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe.
Leading trainer is Robert Robson with an amazing 13 wins over a 23 year period between 1802 and 1825.
In the last 35 years Henry Cecil and Aidan O'Brien dominated the race with 15 wins combined. John Gosden has won 3 of the last 6 as well.
Most wins as a jockey is by Frank Buckle with nine. Frankie Dettori rode his fifth Oaks winner in 2019.
The Oaks (and the Derby) were run a month later than normal in 2020 due to the coronavirus.
The Oaks was reduced to £250,000 in 2020 because of that.
Notable winners of the Oaks include Enable (2017), Minding (2016), Taghrooda (2014), Snow Fairy (2010), Ouija Board (2004), Balanchine (1994), Oh So Sharp (1985), Petit Etoile (1959), Meld (1955), Sun Chariot (1942), Pretty Polly (1904) and Sceptre (1902).
The 2019 Oaks was won by Anapurna from Pink Dogwood and Fleeting.
