O’Brien Looks to Repeat with Minnie Hauk in the Irish Oaks at The Curragh

After Landing Both Derbys with Labourn, He Now Targets the Fillies’ Double

Minnie Hauk Defeated Stablemate Whirl in the G1 Epsom Oaks / EPSOM DOWNS

CURRAGH, Irlanda (Special for Turf Diario).- If there was ever any doubt about her exceptional talent, Minnie Hauk dispelled it at Epsom. This Saturday, she will look to take another major step towards establishing herself as Ireland’s top three-year-old filly when she lines up in the Irish Oaks (G1, 2400m, turf, €500,000) at The Curragh. Facing just six rivals, the daughter of Frankel will nonetheless encounter a few intriguing challenges.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and carrying the iconic Coolmore silks, Minnie Hauk arrives at the second leg of the Irish Fillies’ Triple Crown off a determined victory in the G1 Epsom Oaks, where she held off her stablemate Whirl(Wootton Bassett) by half a length. That performance not only confirmed her progress but showcased her courage under pressure in a truly demanding test.

The target now is the prestigious Epsom-Irish Oaks double, an achievement only a select few have accomplished in recent history, with Snowfall (Deep Impact) the last to do so in 2021. For O’Brien, victory would also mark an eighth success in the race, further underlining his dominant classic record.

On paper, the outlook is highly favorable for the favorite. Minnie Hauk is the clear standout in the field and will have tactical support from three Ballydoyle stablemates: Merrily (No Nay Never), Island Hopping (Wootton Bassett), and Butterfly Wings (Justify). With four of the seven runners representing the Ballydoyle-Coolmore team, the numerical advantage is unmistakable.

However, victory is never guaranteed, and among her challengers is a familiar and dangerous name: Joseph O’Brien, Aidan’s son, who sends out Wemightakedlongway (Australia). This filly already holds a win over Minnie Hauk, having defeated her on debut at Cork in April. Although the tables have turned since then, Wemightakedlongway continues to progress and could pose the main threat to the favorite.

Showing improvement with each outing, Wemightakedlongway’s team believes the step up in distance will suit her. She profiles as a staying type with a strong late kick, and without the burden of favoritism, she could enjoy a tactically free run before launching her challenge in the straight.

As for Minnie Hauk, her credentials speak for themselves. A winner of three of her four starts, including the Cheshire Oaks (L) and the Epsom Oaks (G1), she boasts the ideal profile for success in this race: progressive experience, peak current form, and total confidence from her connections. Furthermore, The Curragh often favors fillies with sustained power—an attribute that perfectly describes this Frankel filly.

Tactically, it will be interesting to see how the Ballydoyle team deploys its quartet. Butterfly Wings could set the pace to set the table for the others, while Merrily and Island Hopping offer alternative strategies to complicate external rivals. Still, all eyes will be on Minnie Hauk, who appears to have the class and temperament to handle the pressure.

Should she triumph, it would not only strengthen her campaign but also send a clear message that Europe’s three-year-old filly division has a new undisputed leader. With autumn targets such as the Prix Vermeille (G1) or Ascot’s Fillies & Mares (G1) looming on the horizon, Minnie Hauk could soon begin writing an even greater chapter.

This Saturday at The Curragh, the stage is set for a new queen to emerge—and all indications suggest that Minnie Hauk, under Ryan Moore, is ready to confirm that no filly in Ireland can match her.