Amelia Earhart strengthened her Classic credentials today (Wednesday, 6 May 2026) when she won the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester under Ryan Moore, giving Aidan O’Brien another notable trial success on the opening day of the May meeting.
Earhart moved herself firmly into the Oaks conversation by landing the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks at Chester, beating the previously unbeaten I’m The One by 1 1/4 lengths in one of the most informative middle-distance fillies’ trials of the spring to date.
The three-year-old, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, tracked the leading pair before being shaken up more than two furlongs from home.
She was pushed along entering the straight, challenged soon after and then edged left as she moved the gears through to lead inside the final furlong before keeping on well to the finishing line.
Cheshire Oaks: Full Result 2026
- 1st – Amelia Earhart 13/8
- 2nd – I’m The One 6/5 fav
- 3rd – A La Prochaine 12/1
Winning Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Winning Jockey: Ryan Moore
Amelia Earhart Trumps Fancied Oaks Rival
I’m The One, who had arrived with lots of attention after an impressive Newbury debut for John and Thady Gosden, was initially outpaced before staying on into second under William Buick. Ralph Beckett’s A La Prochaine finished third, while Sugar Island, another O’Brien runner, faded into fourth after making the running.
The Cheshire Oaks has long been recognised as a trial for Epsom, and the latest running again looks like a meaningful pointer for the big race.
Some leading pundits had framed it as a meeting between two of the leading fillies in the Oaks market, while others pointed to the draw, pedigree and expected improvement of Amelia Earhart stepping into a race that had already been won last year by O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk.
Always Classic Clues At Chester
Chester’s May meeting regularly produces pointers and clues for the upcoming key Classics, and this result has done it again in reshaping the filly picture for Epsom.
Amelia Earhart had shown useful juvenile form and signed off last season with a Leopardstown maiden win, but this was her clearest statement yet at Pattern-trial level.
Beating an unbeaten rival in a recognised Oaks prep gives the win a far broader significance than victory in just a routine Listed race.
When Is The 2026 Epsom Oaks?
The Oaks takes place on Friday, June 5, at Epsom Downs.
Traditionally held on Ladies Day, this Group 1 flat race is the highlight of the opening day of the Derby Festival.
It features elite three-year-old fillies competing over a mile and a half.
