Minnie Hauk Completes Epsom-Irish Oaks Double

Minnie Hauk (IRE) was made to work hard but ultimately prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths to complete an Epsom-Irish Oaks (G1) double by taking the latter race July 19 at the Curragh. Turning for home, jockey Ryan Moore set the race favorite into drive as Wemightakedlongway (IRE) laid down a stern challenge under Dylan Browne McMonagle. For a moment, Minnie Hauk looked under serious pressure, but she proved a willing partner for the top rider and found enough to score. Aidan O'Brien extended his record to eight wins in the race, and Minnie Hauk became his third filly to complete the Oaks double after Alexandrova (2006) and Snowfall (JPN) (2021). O'Brien also completed the classic double with dual Derby hero Lambourn (IRE) this season. O'Brien said: "The boss (John Magnier) said he asked Ryan where to go with her and he said she could go to the Yorkshire Oaks and the boss said what about giving her a break and train her for the (Prix) Vermeille to give her a French prep for the Arc. So all those things are open. "I think she can do either those things but if she was going down the Arc trial route, she'd have to have a couple of easy weeks and obviously, if she was going to York then she wouldn't have those couple easy weeks. "She had a very easy race today as the tempo wasn't strong, so she should come out of it well. I'd imagine we'd have a fair idea in the next week. Looking at her, she probably would love York (for the Aug. 22 Yorkshire Oaks)."