English Oak

The standout moment came at Royal Ascot in June 2024, when English Oak won a top-level Class 2 race — one of the most prestigious races in the British calendar. Jockey James Doyle, who has won 2 of their 6 races together (winning roughly 1 in every 3 rides, which is an exceptional partnership rate), was effusive afterwards. He described the horse as "very speedy" with a "high cruising speed", saying he quickened up sharply when asked. That kind of description — from a jockey who rides at the highest level every week — tells you this isn't an ordinary horse. The team admitted they briefly dared to dream of Group-race level, the very top tier of the sport.

What followed, by the trainer's own admission, has been a let-down. English Oak has found life harder at Class 2 level overall, winning just 1 from 10 races in that grade (10%, or 1 in every 10). The recent form figures of 6-1-13-2-25-6 show a horse capable of brilliance — that "1" is a win in Dubai just four months ago — but also capable of finishing deep in the field. The Meydan win in January 2026 is worth noting: Doyle described the horse as thriving in the Dubai sunshine, and the team adapted their tactics on the day after a poor start, letting the horse find his rhythm rather than forcing the issue. It worked.

Hamad Al Jehani's Newmarket yard has sent out 18 winners this season, so the operation is clearly in form, and English Oak has been given a 78-day break since that last run. The trainer has noted that his rating has come back down close to the mark he won off at Ascot — just 1lb higher — which means the weights are no longer stacked against him the way they were. He's not guaranteed to rediscover his best, but the ingredients are quietly falling back into place.