O’Brien and Moore again as Minnie Hauk downs Whirl in Oaks Classic
Dominant trainer and rider combination Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore claimed Classic glory once again this season as Minnie Hauk battled bravely to deny her equally brave stablemate Whirl in an Epsom Oaks thriller on Friday.
Moore had opted to ride Minnie Hauk instead of both Whirl and Lingfield Listed winner Giselle (Frankel) and the decision proved to be the correct one – albeit only just – as the former defeated Whirl by a neck at the line.
The win handed O’Brien and Moore their third European Classic already this season after Henry Matisse’s (Wootton Bassett) success in the French 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) and Camille Pissarro’s (Wootton Bassett) victory in last weekend’s French Derby (Gr 1, 2100m).
There is also the possibility of more Classic success to come for the pair in Saturday’s Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f), with the Moore-ridden Delacroix (Dubawi) being the general 3-1 favourite on Friday afternoon in a race where O’Brien will again saddle three.
Moore said of Minnie Hauk’s Oaks win: “She’s still learning a little bit. Aidan had a lot of faith in her. She travelled around strongly and I got to her [Whirl] quite easy, and then she was a little green in front.
“When the other filly came back she went on again. She’s a talented filly and she stayed on well. I’m very happy with her and hopefully she’ll build on this.”
Moore and O’Brien were doubling up on the Epsom card having already landed the Coronation Cup (Gr 1, 1m 4f) with Jan Brueghal (Galileo) two races prior to the Oaks.
“I was delighted with this filly and she’s very classy. She was just ready to run at Chester and she made improvement from that,” the winning trainer said of Minnie Hauk’s success.
“Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and she’s a very exciting filly. She’s obviously learning and she’s going to improve with racing.”