The road to next week’s Classics gathered pace at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Wednesday morning as leading contenders for the Oaks and Derby stretched their legs during the annual Derby Festival Epsom Downs gallops morning, giving trainers, jockeys and racing followers an early glimpse of how the major hopes are shaping ahead of the two biggest races of the British Flat season.
The session provided important clues for the 2026 Epsom Oaks and Derby.
Among the most closely watched performers was Legacy Link, with John Gosden making little secret of his admiration for the Musidora Stakes winner after the filly handled the famous undulations with assurance during her workout.
Gosden explained that the exercise was designed primarily to familiarise the filly with the unique demands of Epsom rather than test her fitness, particularly the downhill run into Tattenham Corner that so often proves decisive in the Oaks.
“She had a nice look at the place,” Gosden said after the gallop. “It’s difficult to rehearse that kind of corner and downhill run anywhere else. She picked up well and handled herself nicely.”
The Newmarket trainer revealed he had long considered Legacy Link his principal Oaks prospect after her encouraging effort in last season’s Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket Racecourse. He believes the step up to a mile and a half will bring further improvement.
“She showed a great attitude in the Musidora and stayed on strongly late in the race,” he said. “The extra distance looked like it suited her.”
Legacy Link arrives at Epsom carrying a distinguished pedigree, being from the family of Frankel, although Gosden insisted pedigree alone cannot guarantee success in such a demanding Classic.
“You train them normally,” he said. “You don’t try to reinvent the wheel.”
The trainer also warned against oversimplifying the Oaks into a straight duel between his stable and the powerful Ballydoyle operation of Aidan O’Brien, pointing instead to the depth among this year’s three-year-old fillies.
“It’s an exciting Oaks because there’s real depth in the field,” Gosden said. “Many are trying a mile and a half for the first time, and that can change everything.”
Gosden, who has previously won the Oaks with Taghrooda, Enable, Anapurna and Soul Sister, suggested his Derby representative Saxon Street is unlikely to take his chance next weekend, with Royal Ascot emerging as the more likely target.
“I’ve learned over the years this isn’t a race you take a wild shot at,” he said. “He’s lightly raced and it may just come a bit too soon.”
Jockey Colin Keane was equally encouraged by Legacy Link’s work, praising the filly’s balance and maturity around the demanding circuit.
“She corrected herself well and changed leads at the right moments,” Keane said. “That was encouraging because Epsom can catch inexperienced horses out.”
Keane also reflected positively on the filly’s Musidora victory at York, believing there is still significant improvement to come over the longer trip in the Oaks.
The rider is also expected to partner Dante Stakes winner Item in the Derby and described Andrew Balding’s colt as a naturally balanced and uncomplicated contender.
“I thought he was very good at York,” Keane said. “He relaxes, travels well and does things properly. I don’t see the extra distance being an issue.”
Elsewhere during the Derby Festival Epsom Downs gallops morning, trainer Charlie Johnston expressed confidence that Ancient Egypt will stay the Derby trip after the colt handled the downhill section smoothly in his workout.
Johnston explained that the visit was as much about experience as fitness, with the colt travelling from North Yorkshire the evening before and settling well overnight.
“We’ve dotted every I and crossed every T,” Johnston said. “He handled the track exactly as we hoped he would.”
The trainer acknowledged Ancient Egypt still needs to improve considerably to challenge the leading Derby hopes but maintained stamina is not a concern.
“The question isn’t whether he’ll stay,” Johnston said. “The question is whether he’s good enough.”
Johnston also sounded upbeat about his Oaks contender Venetian Lace, although he admitted Precise’s victory in the Irish 1000 Guineas had strengthened the opposition considerably.
“I wouldn’t swap Venetian Lace for anything,” he said. “The trip is the unknown, but her class isn’t.”
Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam is preparing for a landmark moment with Balzac set to become her first Derby runner. The colt has already gained valuable experience at Epsom and Lingfield this spring, something Chapple-Hyam believes could prove crucial on Derby day.
“It’s all part of his education,” she said. “For a horse with limited experience, every run and every visit counts.”
She added that Balzac’s calm temperament and pedigree give her optimism that he can cope with the occasion.
Ralph Beckett, meanwhile, indicated that K Sarra is not guaranteed to line up in the Oaks despite a promising effort behind Legacy Link in the Musidora.
“She’s improving all the time,” Beckett said, “but we’ll discuss things with the owners before making a final decision.”
Beckett confirmed A La Prochaine is set to take her chance, while decisions on K Sarra and On Message will come later in the week.
Richard Hannon also oversaw a gallop for outsider Alderman, whose owner Julie Wood endured heartbreak when previous Derby runner Voyage unseated his rider leaving the stalls two years ago.
Hannon praised Wood’s reaction to that disappointment and said her enthusiasm for competing at the highest level remains undiminished.
“She’s a great advert for the sport,” he said. “More people should enjoy it the way she does.”
With warm weather forecast and anticipation steadily building, the Derby Festival Epsom Downs meeting offered a timely reminder that the countdown to Britain’s premier Flat racing weekend is now fully under way.
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