Epsom Derby Festival 2026 Day 1 (Friday 5th June 2026)

The Epsom Derby Festival gets underway on Friday with Oaks Day, one of the most prestigious fixtures in the Flat racing calendar.

While Saturday’s Derby understandably takes centre stage, Friday offers a super card in its own right, headlined by the Group 1 Oaks where the best middle-distance fillies of their generation battle it out over Epsom’s unique test.

Epsom’s undulating track and demanding finish can often catch horses out, making course suitability just as important as raw ability.

Here are my best bets and race-by-race selections for Oaks Day at the 2026 Epsom Derby Festival.

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Epsom Derby Festival Day 1 (Friday)

• 1.30 Wedonttelllies – 5/1 each way with Betfred
• 2.05 Hickory Lad – 6/1 each way with BoyleSports
• 2.40 Seagulls Eleven – 9/2 each way with bet365
• 3.15 Sallaal – 7/2 with BetVictor NEXT BEST
• 4.00 Legacy Link – 9/2 with SBK
• 4.40 Celeborn – 5/1 each way with talkSPORT BET
• 5.15 Stellar Sunrise – 11/5 with SBK
• 5.50 Dance In The Storm – 5/2 with Paddy Power NAP

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Epsom’s Derby Festival 2026 Day 1 (Friday 5th June 2026)

Find my top tips for Friday 5th June 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Epsom 1.30 Win With Zyn 3yo ‘Dash’ Handicap (Class 2) 5f

This will be fast and furious so don’t blink as you might miss it! I’m going to chance WEDONTTELLLIES for Richard Hughes. He rode a few speedsters in his time so should know what it takes to train one!

This son of No Nay Never looked good winning at Goodwood last month and I think the fact he handled that undulating track is a positive to his chances here. He is up 6lb but is relatively unexposed so could easily improve again.

Plenty of dangers likely headed by Havana Grey filly Naana’s Shadow who won at Catterick and then was only beaten a length at York last time which was a good run. She has more to come as well so should get involved.

At a bigger price Coyy was third behind the selection at Goodwood so is another one to note with Saffie Osborne booked for the ride.

Bet on WEDONTTELLLIES Each Way at 5/1 with Betfred

Epsom 2.05 Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes (Class 2) (Conditions Race) 6f3y

A lot of potential on display for the Woodcote Stakes and HICKORY LAD should run a big race for Phillip Makin.

I know he was beaten at Chester last time but I think he bumped into another nice horse in Adonius on that occasion. His win over Kodi Bear Light at Musselburgh prior to that was promising and that form has been franked since too. He has more to come on just his fourth start and is worth chancing.

Possessive is likely to go off favourite after winning with a bit in hand on debut at York. He looks quite promising but the market hasn’t missed him.

Ardad Steve was beaten less than three lengths on debut at Yarmouth and is another one I can see leaving that bare form behind so might be worth an each way saver.

Bet on HICKORY LAD Each Way at 6/1 with BoyleSports

Epsom 2.40 Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) 1m113y

Persica is a perfect 2-2 at this track so he has to be feared but he ran poorly behind Damysus at Newmarket on return and at a short price might be worth taking on.

SEAGULLS ELEVEN impressed with the way he won in France last month and with further progress likely he could be a decent bet to follow up with Oisin Murphy up now. He won at Goodwood as a 3yo and that is encouraging that he handled those undulations as he should handle this test.

Of the rest Ice Max ran well behind Lambourn on return and is better than he showed at Goodwood so could bounce back with a big run. Qirat has a lot to prove but would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead like he did when beating Rosallion at Goodwood last year.

Bet on SEAGULLS ELEVEN Each Way at 9/2 with bet365

Epsom 3.15 Betfred ’Nifty 50’ Handicap (Class 2) 1m2f17y

I thought Ray Dawson had a mare on SALLAAL over C&D on return. He gave him way too much to do and by the time he got going the winner had flown. He ran on strongly and should take a big step forward for the run. He has kept the ride and has a good chance to make amends now as he is clearly on a well handicapped horse.

Hand Of God won nicely at Newbury last month and is a big horse who should keep improving with fitness.

Another 5lb demands more though and this is a race packed full of quality. Respond has won two of his last three and was impressive at Chester so is another one who enters calculations and is probably just about the biggest danger.

Bet on SALLAAL To Win at 7/2 with BetVictor

Epsom 4.00 Betfred Oaks (Fillies’ Group 1) 1m4f6y

Time for the big one now the Betfred Oaks! Amelia Earhart will be popular for Aidan O’Brien and she did impress winning the Cheshire Oaks last month but I don’t think she is bombproof and LEGACY LINK seems better value.

he latter beat Felicitas at York despite not looking fully fit and if she takes a big step forward as expected she could be hard to run down here. This step up to a mile and a half looks sure to suit and I think she could be a really nice horse going forward.

Joseph O’Brien sends over Thundering On and she is certainly no back number as she fairly bolted up at Navan when last seen. She will need to take another step forward but shouldn’t be underestimated especially with Dylan Browne McMonagle on top.

Cameo impressed at Lingfield and while she might be the second-string she also has a squeak.

Bet on LEGACY LINK To Win at 9/2 with SBK

Epsom 4.40 HKJC World Pool Handicap (Class 2) 1m113y

I thought CELEBORN shaped like he would do better for the run when fifth at Newbury on return last month. He has a progressive profile and the drop back to a mile here with a lot of pace on also looks a good move. George Boughey remains in great form as does Billy Loughnane and he should run a big race.

Stem was down the field at Newbury on return but should also take a big step forward here.

Others to note include Man Of La Mancha who has run well in two competitive handicaps since returning and at a bigger price Mirsky could be a bit of value to rattle the frame.

Bet on CELEBORN Each Way at 5/1 with talkSPORT BET

Epsom 5.15 Cygames Surrey Stakes (Listed) 7f3y

I do feel this is more open than the betting suggests but even so STELLAR SUNRISE is just about the one to beat.

He impressed beating Colori Forever at Newbury and that form has been franked since. He was only third last time but the winner Saber Strike looks promising so that form might work out well in time. If he handles the track he could go close.

Northern Champion was denied the hat-trick last time but that did come in a Group race at the top level in Dubai. He is a horse who still has potential and could run well here.

Ten Carat Harry proved he can do it on turf last time springing a 28/1 surprise and he is another one who could run well as he has a great attitude.

Bet on STELLAR SUNRISE To Win at 11/5 with SBK

Epsom 5.50 Debenhams Handicap (Class 2) 7f3y

I’m hoping we’ve saved the best until last! DANCE IN THE STORM really impressed with the way she ran on strongly to land a gamble at Chester on reappearance. I thought she looked a bit rough around the edges so should be a lot sharper now and with further improvement to come she is definitely worth keeping on side.

Rhoscolyn is back below his last winning mark and ran well in this last year so shouldn’t be far away.

Zarathos is on a hat-trick and is another one who should run well but he’ll need to prove he can handle the track. At a big price Colombier is quite interesting and could run into a place.

Bet on DANCE IN THE STORM To Win at 5/2 with Paddy Power

My top tip for Epsom’s Derby Festival 2026 Day 1 on Friday

A seriously competitive eight-race card to kick off The Epsom Derby Festival and no surprise to see my double pays double-figures.

SALLAAL was a big eye-catcher last time out and should put things right today and DANCE IN THE STORM looks a great bet in the lucky last to follow up her Chester win.

Bet a Win Double on SALLAAL and DANCE IN THE STORM at 14/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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