We know the identities of our first Classic hero and heroine of 2025 with the Godolphin duo of Ruling Court and Desert Flower victorious over the weekend. With the first Classics in the books, thoughts will inevitably turn towards the next, as the Epsom Derby and Oaks dominate the racing discourse between now and the first weekend in June.
Those searching for clues ahead of the 1m4f Classics will have ample opportunity this week. The Boodles May Festival at Chester lights up the midweek action and features a selection of traditionally informative events, whilst, on Saturday afternoon, Lingfield hosts trials for both the Derby and Oaks.
Wednesday 7th – Friday 9th May: Boodles May Festival
In British flat racing, there is no other track quite like Chester. Affectionally known as the Roodee, Chester does its best to avoid straight sections by employing a layout likened to a saucepan – those who don’t enjoy racing around corners need not apply. This week, the delightfully distinctive course takes its turn in the spotlight with the always excellent May Festival.
Given the demands placed on the balance of the runners, many trainers view the May Festival as an ideal stepping stone towards the Epsom Derby and Oaks. Included in that number is a certain Aidan O’Brien, who regularly targets the May Festival with a selection of his Classic hopefuls.
Day 1: Derby and Oaks Hopefuls on Show
The Group 3 Chester Vase takes centre stage on the opening day as a field of promising three-year-olds tackles the 1m4½f trip. O’Brien has claimed six of the past 10 editions of this, whilst his 2017 runner-up, Wings Of Eagles, improved to cause a 40/1 shock at Epsom. O’Brien counts the intriguing Stay True amongst his entries this year. Only making his debut in April, this Galileo colt looks to have the most realistic chance of handing his deceased sire a final Classic success.
The Listed Cheshire Oaks tops the undercard on Wednesday. The brilliant Enable followed up at Epsom in 2017, whilst 2018 runner-up Together Forever went one better in the June showpiece. The Aidan O’Brien duo Giselle and Minnie Hauk head the 2025 betting, whilst Ralph Beckett has four entries, all of whom have won the only start of their careers to date.
Day 2: More Derby Clues and Stayers Top the Bill
The pattern class action continues on Day 2, kicking off with the Listed Dee Stakes. At 1m2½f, the trip is a little shorter than that of the Vase on the opening day or the Derby. However, the race tends to attract runners with at least half an eye Epsom. Oath (1999) and Kris Kin (2003) won the Dee Stakes en route to Derby glory, but no horse has done so since.
So far, the main events have been all about the three-year-olds. That changes in the Day 2 feature of the Ormonde Stakes. Open to runners aged four and older, this 1m5½f Group 3 affair has fallen to talents including Daliapour, St Nicholas Abbey and Japan in previous years. Aidan O’Brien needs just one more win to move out on his own as the most successful trainer in the history of the race. Will this be the year he does it?
Day 3: Up For The Cup
Falling into the Group 2 category, Friday’s Huxley Stakes is the highest-class contest at the May Festival. Another event restricted to the older runners; the now retired Sir Michael Stoute tops the all-time trainers list with eight wins.
The Huxley Stakes may be the classiest race of the day, but it is not the most popular. That honour falls to the huge betting heat of the Chester Cup. Taking place over a trip of 2m2½f, this £170,000 event takes in two complete circuits of the eminently round track. Given the stamina demands, the race invariably attracts runners from leading flat and National Hunt yards. Last sighted finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle, the James Owen-trained East India Dock currently heads the betting in 2025.
Saturday 10th May: Trials Continue at Lingfield
The Victoria Cup at Ascot provides a Saturday afternoon handicapping highlight, but the main events come at Lingfield. First run in 1932, Derby & Oaks Trials Day continues to be a key date in the diary for those plotting a course towards Epsom in June.
2019 proved to be a golden year for the Lingfield Trials, with Oaks Trial winner Anapurna and Derby Trial champ Anthony Van Dyck both following up at Epsom. Since then, 2021 Derby Trial runner-up Adayar went one better in the big one, and 2024 Oaks Trial winner You Got To Me followed up in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh. Will a Classic winner lurk amongst the 2025 Lingfield hopefuls?
