Godolphin target classic glory across continents on an epic racing weekend

The historic Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, south of England, will again become the theatre of dreams this weekend as the flat-racing spotlight turns to the historic Epsom Derby Festival.

- Leslie Wilson Jr [e-mail]

A cornerstone of British racing, the two-day extravaganza features two epic Group 1 races the Epsom Oaks (G1) on Friday and the Epsom Derby on Saturday.

As Dubai’s royal blue juggernaut - Godolphin - launches a global charge with nearly 40 runners competing at top-tier race meetings across four continents the primary focus will be on the sweeping Downs of Surrey in addition to the grandstands of Saratoga and Belmont Park in America,

With 189 wins, 47 stakes victories, and 6 Group 1s already under their belt in 2025, this weekend’s goal is clear: keep the momentum galloping.

On Friday, attention turns to the Group 1 Epsom Oaks, where the unbeaten Desert Flower bids to emulate the great Kazzia, Godolphin’s 2002 heroine, by completing the rare 1,000 Guineas-Oaks double.

Godolphin will be hoping that the winning mentality fuels Desert Flower as she tackles the mile-and-a-half classic, a race Charlie Appleby has yet to win.

“Desert Flower has been faultless to date and looks great,” said the big-race-winning handler. “We all know that the trip is going to be the question mark, and we won't know whether she stays until we run her over it.