Aidan O'Brien's Amelia Earhart has been installed as the new favourite for the Betfred Oaks after securing a convincing victory in the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks at Chester on Wednesday. The triumph marked O'Brien's tenth success in this key Epsom Classic trial.
Dominant Performance at Chester
Ridden by Ryan Moore, Amelia Earhart tracked the pace set by stablemate Sugar Island before making her move turning into the straight. She powered clear to beat the well-fancied I'm The One, trained by John and Thady Gosden, by two lengths. The winner was subsequently cut to 3-1 favourite (from 8-1) by Boylesports for the Oaks, with I'm The One next best at 7-1.
Amelia Earhart had won a maiden by seven lengths on her final start of last season but was sent off as the 13-8 second favourite for her seasonal reappearance behind I'm The One, who had impressed on debut at Newbury.
Trainer and Jockey Reactions
Ryan Moore expressed satisfaction with the filly's performance: "I was very happy with her. She is a fine, big filly by Camelot, obviously the family we know well. She was well suited by the step up in trip, handled the track, handled the ground. She's done everything right. She'll be a nice filly for the rest of the year."
Paul Smith, representing Coolmore partner Derrick Smith, added: "She is a beautiful specimen, hit the line well, travelled well, got the trip well. We couldn't be happier with her. She'll go to the Oaks now. The trip was always going to be in her favour so we look forward to Epsom now."
Gosden Plays Down Hype Around I'm The One
John Gosden, who had previously described the odds on I'm The One as "ridiculous," was pragmatic after the race: "It was sort of the result I expected really. I flew up with Ryan and he told me the winner is a very good filly. Our filly just showed a lack of experience on just the second run of her life. She blew the bend, but to that extent she has run a lovely race and we are pleased with her."
He added: "I did warn everyone that all the hype (after Newbury) was stupid, but no one wanted to listen - or maybe they did as she went to odds-against in the end."
Regarding future plans, Gosden said: "We will get her home now and see which way we want to play it. We know from this a mile and a half is no problem and she could handle Epsom but there is also the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot."
Comparison to Previous Winner
Last year, O'Brien sent over Minnie Hauk to win the Cheshire Oaks, and she went on to become the world's top female in 2025, winning the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, and Yorkshire Oaks, as well as finishing second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
