Esna To Target Prix de Diane Instead Of Epsom Oaks Tilt

Esna to skip Epsom Oaks next month
Instead, Brian Meehan’s stable star will head to French equivalent
Great Newbury win latest has connections dreaming of Group One glory

Brian Meehan will skip the Epsom Oaks with his stable star Esna, but is still targeting Group 1 glory with his classy filly.

Esna To Skip Epsom Oaks Despite Trial Win

Despite being cut from 150/1 to 33/1 in the Epsom Oaks betting odds, Esna looks unlikely to run in the second fillies classic of the season.

Brian Meehan’s stable star was a good winner of the Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial at Newbury last weekend, beating Sacred Ground by half-a-length.

She battled gamely and seemed to improve a bunch from her Pretty Polly run at Newmarket a few weeks ago.

WATCH: Esna Wins Oaks Trial At Newbury

A proper battle! ⚔️

ESNA shows real tenacity to take out the Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at @NewburyRacing for Brian Meehan… pic.twitter.com/7Gzhpe5Dn2

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 16, 2026

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Instead of moving further up in trip at Epsom, Esna could take her place in the French Oaks which is run over the same distance of 1m2f in which her Newbury win came at.

One of her best performances came in France at Paris Longchamp last season when fourth behind Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac, so we know she handles the travel well.

Meehan was speaking on his stable star: “She’s come out of Newbury really well – very fresh, ate up and everything’s good with her.

“The Prix de Diane is what we’d be aiming for at this point in time, not Epsom. After riding her on Saturday, Ryan said a mile and a quarter was probably the limit of her stamina.

“Her form is solid and obviously the form of the Boussac is working out well, so it leads us on a very simple path for now.

“It’s lovely for the first winner of the year to come in a stakes race. We haven’t run that many and they’ve all been going well – they’ve just been needing a run. We’ve been quite happy with the way the season’s been going.“

Esna is currently a 25/1 shot for the Prix de Diane, see the full odds below.