For the second consecutive year, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore have won both the Cheshire Oaks and the Chester Vase on the opening day of the Chester May Festival. In 2025 it was Minnie Hauk and Lambourn. In 2026 it is Amelia Earhart and Benvenuto Cellini. The Racing Post's live blog summarised it simply: "That's all we've got time for after what has been a typical day of Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien domination at Chester."
Amelia Earhart — Cheshire Oaks — New Oaks Favourite
Amelia Earhart won the Cheshire Oaks for O'Brien and Moore — Moore's eighth Cheshire Oaks win and O'Brien's tenth. She was strongly supported in the market and defeated the Gosdens' I'm The One, who had arrived as the Oaks favourite and left as the runner-up. The Racing Post live blog confirmed the immediate market impact: "the result of which has flipped the market for the Betfred Oaks with Amelia Earhart now Epsom favourite from Chester runner-up I'm The One."
William Buick, rider of the beaten I'm The One, was measured in his assessment: "She blew the last bend slightly which is costly around here as we all know, but everyone's happy with how she did and the winner was well touted so it could turn out to be a very good edition of the race. She's learned plenty taking on horses with experience and in the long term this will do her good."
John Gosden's team is now considering whether I'm The One will go to Epsom or whether the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot could be a better option — the loss at Chester introduces flexibility into what had been a straightforward Oaks preparation.
Benvenuto Cellini — Chester Vase — Derby Favourite
Benvenuto Cellini won the Chester Vase at 2/7 for O'Brien and Moore. He raced comfortably in third, moved into second over a furlong from home, was pushed along to lead and drifted left when clear inside the final furlong before winning impressively. Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley confirmed: "Ryan was very happy with him. He handled the ground, handled the track, settled nicely and had a nice turn of foot so he has all the attributes you require to go to Epsom."
He is now no bigger than 3/1 for the Derby. The pattern of O'Brien winning the Chester Vase and then the Derby — Lambourn last year, now Benvenuto Cellini this — gives the result specific historic weight.
Adonius — Lily Agnes Stakes — Unbeaten Record Maintained
Adonius, the Rebecca Menzies-trained Soldier's Call gelding, maintained his unbeaten record winning the Lily Agnes Stakes from stall 1. William Hill had named him their NAP from stall 1. The draw advantage delivered. Trotbot first identified Adonius at Musselburgh in April when he won at 10/1 — his unbeaten record now continues at Chester.
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Facts verified via web search May 7 2026.