“She’s not built like a stayer; she’s compact, well-balanced, almost with a miler’s physique”

Aidan O’Brien spared no praise for Minnie Hauk following her impressive victory in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) at York

Minnie Hauk and her stunning physique at York/ ITM

YORSKSHIRE, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- Aidan O’Brien’s smile after the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) said it all. Minnie Hauk once again justified every penny of her €1.85 million yearling price and cemented her status as a rising star, posting a victory that propels her toward the big end-of-season challenges. For O’Brien, it marked his ninth win in the historic York contest, equaling a record, while jockey Ryan Moore notched his fifth victory in the race aboard the filly.

“It was a huge joy for Ryan,” O’Brien said following the win. “We had a tough day on Wednesday; things didn’t go our way, and you know, sometimes that happens. But Ryan is a professional, he stays unaffected, and today he delivered a masterful ride to the filly.”

The race setup played to Minnie Hauk’s strengths, as she displayed both grit and stamina to sustain the brisk pace from the start. “We always said that the stronger the pace, the better she would look,” O’Brien explained. “This wasn’t going to be an easy race, yet she responded with everything she had. The runner-up is a good filly, but Minnie Hauk proved she’s made for battles like this. She always finishes her races no matter the circumstances, and today she crossed the line with authority.”

The champion filly, however, does not fit the classic stayer’s physical profile. “She’s not built like a mile-and-a-half filly; she’s compact, round, and very strong, almost with a miler’s physique,” Ballydoyle’s master trainer noted. “That makes her special because she combines power with stamina, giving us many options.”

As for the future, O’Brien hinted that the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could be a possibility, though nothing is set in stone. “Ryan was talking with Michael [Tabor] and Derrick [Smith] after the race, and I was listening from the side… They mentioned the Arc for Whirl (Wootton Bassett), who handles soft ground well, but Minnie Hauk is different. She moves spectacularly and we believe she’s even better on firmer ground. Today, with perfect footing, she seemed to float,” he said.

The York victory also boosted Minnie Hauk’s earnings close to £1 million, confirming that the initial investment was more than justified. O’Brien, with his usual caution, knows there’s no need to rush. Autumn offers multiple opportunities—from the Arc to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), for which she already has a secured berth thanks to this win.

Jockey Ryan Moore was equally effusive. “She’s very easy to ride, always been a professional filly,” he said. “She does everything right and responds to what you ask. When she gets to the front, she tends to relax, but today, when I asked her to extend, she decided the race in a heartbeat. She was excellent at Epsom, and every time I watch the Irish Oaks, even though she didn’t look spectacular that day, I see details that show she had progressed. Perhaps today she took another step forward—the strong pace, the just-right track, and firm ground allowed her to show a bit more.”

With her triumph at York, Minnie Hauk establishes herself as the leader of her generation and a filly of international caliber. Ballydoyle keeps all options open, but after Thursday’s display, the filly has earned the right to dream big. And with Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore at the helm, nothing seems out of reach.