
Minnie Hauk makes it more exciting than anticipated but lands Irish Oaks at 2/11
Ultimately
Aidan O'Brien
's eighth winner of the race, and the 16th filly to complete the Epsom-Curragh Oaks double, won a shade cosily.
But those who bet the 2/11 SP must have been momentarily shifting uneasily in the straight as Ryan Moore started to scrub on the hotpot while Dylan Browne McMonagle was motionless in front of him on Wemightakedlongway.
The latter was fourth at Epsom and a change of tactics briefly looked like paying off only for Minnie Hauk to ultimately come through and win by just over a length.
READ MORE
If there was a rather underwhelming feel to the performance, she did at least land her cramped odds. O'Brien's Order Of St George was famously beaten at 1/7 in the 2016 Irish Leger, a race that Yeats also got beaten in at 2/7 in 2006.
In the end Australia's record 1/8 price when landing the 2014 Curragh Derby was unchallenged and his awkwardly named daughter, Wemightakedlongway, momentarily underlined the dangers of betting very short.
Having narrowly beaten her stable companion Whirl at Epsom, the charitable take on Saturday's double display was that Minnie Hauk might not do it prettily but does consistently pull off the all-important feat of winning.
Moore said he was never worried, although Browne McMonagle's tactical shift appeared to be a surprise.
'I just had to wake her up to get past Dylan, a little bit like at the Oaks at Epsom. She'd be quite deceptive. She's become more professional and at least we've learned a little bit more about her today.
'There's probably no doubt that it was a weak running of an Oaks. I'm happy with her and I'm sure she is going to go on to better things as well.
'When I asked her, she switched her lead and went and done it. At Chester at the start of the year she only won by a length, she just timed herself. When she got to the front at Epsom, she went asleep on me again. We are learning about her, and she'll be better than this,' reassured the English rider.
Ryan Moore on Minnie Hauk win The Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1). Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
O'Brien quickly added that the best of the €1.85 million 2023 Orby sales-topper won't be seen until she gets a very high race tempo to target.
Afterwards, the Ballydoyle brains trust debated a potential route towards October's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with either the Yorkshire Oaks or the Prix Vermeille apparently to the fore as possible trials.
'The boss (John Magnier) asked Ryan where to go with her and he said to go to the Yorkshire Oaks. The boss said 'what about if we give her a break and train her for the Vermeille and give her a French Arc prep?' All those things are open, and we'll see how she is.
'I think she can do either of those things but if she's going to the French trial she'd have to have a couple of easy weeks. Obviously if she's going to York she wouldn't have those couple of easy weeks,' O'Brien commented.
The immediate dividend though was a seventh classic of the year for the trainer and an 11th Group One success in all.
Having briefly threatened to spoil the short-priced Oaks party, Dylan Browne McMonagle later hit the mark on his own odds-on favourite Al Riffa in the Group Two Curragh Cup.
The dual-Group One winner made light of the step up to 14-furlongs and quickened past inferior rivals to set up a tilt at the Irish Leger in September.
Joseph O'Brien
, twice a Melbourne Cup winner, didn't rule out a tilt at the Flemington highlight either with a colt who was classy enough to land a National Stakes as a two-year-old.
Proud of Wemighttakedlongway's classic effort – 'Minnie Hauk is a champion, and we gave her a fright for a few seconds' – O'Brien is also eyeing a profitable autumn with Al Riffa.
Earlier on the classic programme, True Love's 1-2 odds were comparatively generous when she made no mistake in kicking right away from three colts in the Group Two Gain Railway Stakes.
The Queen Mary winner had no trouble stepping up a furlong and proved five lengths too good for her stable companion Puerto Rico.
Ryan Moore on True Love wins The GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) at the Curragh. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Having proven her credentials for the trip, O'Brien nominated potential targets in the Phoenix Stakes back at HQ, Deauville for the Prix Morny, and Newmarket's Cheveley Park Stakes.
True Love was the first filly to win the Railway in 27 years and having successfully led the Ballydoyle juvenile bandwagon here may end up taking on colts again later this campaign.
O'Brien indicated his exciting Albert Einstein 'probably' won't run again this season. That leaves the Coventry winner Gstaad – who beat True Love in his maiden – as his most likely top colt to go to war with later this summer.
As well as the Phoenix and the Morny, Gstaad's ambitions could also see him aimed at seven-furlong contests in the National Stakes and the Dewhurst.
However, the dangers of planning too far ahead also got underlined on Saturday when O'Brien revealed doubts about last year's champion juvenile filly Lake Victoria even racing again.
Out of action since landing the Irish Guineas in May, he said: 'She is not back in exercise yet. She's doing very well physically, but she's not back in work yet.
'John (Halley, vet) will make the decision on whether she comes back into work for this year or is left alone until next year, or is retired altogether. They'll be decisions that will be made as weeks go by.'
O'Brien opened Saturday's card with a 1-2-3 in the juvenile maiden where the odds-on New Zealand won by a nose from the eye-catching newcomer Isaac Newton.
The sprinting division is often Irish racing's poor relation but there could be a real top-notcher in Ireland for a change as Arizona Blaze continued his progress up the ranks and landed the Group Two Barberstown Cstle Sapphire Stakes.
Runner up in Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup, and at last year's Breeders' Cup, the AMO Racing colt dropped to the minimum distance and proved too quick for the English raider Mgheera.
David Egan, whose sister Alexandra rode her first winner at Down Royal on Friday evening, dominated from the front on the winner and a potential tilt at York's Nunthorpe next month could be another shot at a top-level success.
AMO's big-spending owner Kia Joorabchian was present at the Curragh to watch the colt and expressed confidence that a top-flight victory is within Arizona Blaze's grasp.
'He's been professional all the way. He loves five and can go six and seven. He loves the five furlongs and hopefully we'll have a lot more fun with him,' he said. 'I think we'll aim for the Breeders' Cup. I think he'll get a Group 1 somewhere.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
27 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork wear down battling Waterford to stay on track for camogie hat-trick
All-Ireland camogie semi-final: Cork 1-21 Waterford 1-11 A Saoirse McCarthy-inspired Cork eventually wore down Waterford in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final at UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday. The Rebels stellar championship run, which sees them unbeaten since Galway overcame them in the round-robin two years ago, ensures they stay on track for three-in-a-row All-Ireland titles. This feat was last achieved by Cork between 1970-1973. No doubt Galway will have something to say about that in two weeks time when these familiar foes meet for a second year running in what should be another fascinating showdown in Jones Road (5.15pm throw-in). Today's encounter was a far cry from when Cork totally outclassed Waterford in the 2023 final, the south-east side were in this game right up until the fourth quarter, only to be overrun in the closing stages. Twelve of that starting team lined out in this penultimate round. The finishing touches to the Cork victory were applied by substitute Orlaith Mullins who entered the fray three minutes from time and ended with a hefty 1-2. But it was McCarthy who shone the brightest, scoring seven wonderful points - three from play. There was one change to Ger Manley's side with Katrina Mackey replacing Clodagh Finn after the Fr O'Neill's forward picked up an injury during the week. Keeley Corbett Barry, left, and Orla Hickey of Waterford react after their side's defeat in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship semi-final match between Cork and Waterford at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile Being able to call on a player of that calibre tells how strong this panel is, and the Douglas forward ended with four points. In front of an attendance of 7,120 spectators, Cork won the toss and elected to play against the wind and while they were first on the scoreboard through an Amy O'Connor free, Waterford's response four minutes later from a Niamh Rockett placed ball was a significant reply. The teams traded points before Waterford, mainly through the brilliance of Beth Carton, moved into a 1-4 to 0-3 lead midway through the half. The De La Salle attacker's first point could well have been a green flag but her shot sailed over the bar. She made no mistake on the quarter hour mark when she moved into space and was set up by Mairead O'Brien and her finish was low to the far corner. Emma Murphy and Sorcha McCartan white flags were cancelled by Carton and a Rockett free - Waterford keeping their noses in front as the wind appeared to swirl, 1-6 to 0-5. Cork came more into the game through the next four points - three of these excellent returns from the speedster McCarthy to draw level. But with corner-forward Kate Lynch playing a deep role for Mick Boland's outfit, Abby Flynn pushed her side into the lead, 1-7 to 0-9 at the interval, after she capitalised from a long Rockett free. The first 10 minutes of the restart was frenetic. Cork obviously benefitted from a good half-time pep talk with Katrina Mackey showing the way with a trio of points, Cork were beginning to work their way back. The Rebels would outscore their opponents six points to two. Waterford did well to keep the ball out of the net in the 38th minute, as the scores at the other end started to dry up. This due to the Cork rearguard maintaining a strong defensive shape. The champions clearly had got any rustiness out of the system from their four week lay-off since competitive action. As the third quarter came to a conclusion, the lead had extended to 0-16 to 1-9. Rockett ended a 12 minute drought for Waterford with a 48th minute free. There was no let up from Cork, McCarthy landing another brace. The alertness of Brianna O'Regan in the Waterford goal denied Cliona Healy, but O'Connor split the posts from the '45. Mullins put the icing on the cake in the first minute of stoppage when she was picked out by Orlaith Cahalane. Scorers for Cork: S McCarthy (0-7, 0-4 frees), O Mullins (1-2), K Mackey (0-4), A O'Connor (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45), E Murphy and S McCartan (0-2 each), L Hayes (0-1). Scorers for Waterford: B Carton (1-4), Rockett (0-5, 0-3 frees), L Bray and A Flynn (0-1 each). CORK: A Lee; P Mackey, L Coppinger, M Cahalane (Capt); A Healy, L Treacy, L Hayes; H Looney, A Thompson; E Murphy, S McCartan, E Murphy; O Cahalane, K Mackey, A O'Connor. Subs: C Healy for E Murphy (53), M Murphy for A Thompson, O Mullins for S McCartan (both 57), A Fitzgerald for L Hayes (62). WATERFORD: B O'Regan; A McNulty, K Corbett Barry, V Falconer; B Bowdren, R Walsh, O Hickey; L Bray (Capt), A Flynn; E O'Neill; B Carton, E O'Neill, M O'Brien; A Fitzgerald, N Rockett, K Lynch. Subs: T Power for B Bowdren (40), M Gostl for M O'Brien (46), M Comerford for A Flynn (55), N Ahearne for A Fitzgerald (63). Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).


Irish Independent
28 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Evan Ferguson scores fifth goal in two games for Roma to set up friendly win over Kaiserslautern
The Irish striker hit the ground running with his new club by scoring four times in a training ground success over Serie D opposition earlier this week. There was a dramatic contrast on Saturday afternoon as the 20-year-old was in a packed stadium, leading the line for Gian Piero Gasperini's side against a side that is currently in the German second tier. He made the most of the opportunity by capitalising on a first half goalkeeping error by Julian Krahl to win possession and slot the ball into the empty net. Ferguson was replaced after an hour. His next game will be against Cannes on Thursday.


Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Galway ready to 'right the wrongs' of last year's final loss to Cork
Muted Galway celebrations. No shouting or jumping or roaring. The attitude was measured and spoke of this semi-final being a means to an end. The Saturday scenes at Nowlan Park were worlds apart from the same venue this weekend last year. On that occasion, Galway also bettered Tipp to reach the decider. The margin then was a single point. Here, it was seven. Read More Impressive Galway inflict more semi-final torture on Tipperary In last year's final, Galway delivered a performance that pushed Cork to almost breaking point. Maybe Galway didn't realise they were that close to standard-bearers Cork until they were level with them going down the stretch. The westerners, in the end, came up three points short. They are determined that the rematch in two weeks' time has a different outcome. This is a Galway group much further down the road than the crowd who shouted and jumped and roared when edging Tipp 12 months ago. 'Last year, we were never going well,' began Galway manager Cathal Murray. 'Cork beat us by double digits in the group. We had a week to prepare for the Waterford quarter-final. We were poor in that quarter-final. 'It was the first time we had come into a semi-final as underdogs in a while. Then the way we won it too, a point in the last minute. We were down for a lot of that game, four behind at the break, so it was a brilliant comeback. 'Today, we were on top for most of the game. It's a different feeling. It looked out there like we were the better team for a lot of the second-half. 'Also, we lost last year's All-Ireland final. It is huge for us to get back there. We are not going to celebrate getting back to an All-Ireland final, we have to go now and right the wrongs of last year. Whoever wins [that second semi-final], it is going to be a massive test, but one we are embracing.' Getting back there was no straightforward road. All-Star full-back Roisín Black, because of injury and travel, made her first start of the year in this semi-final. Niamh Hanniffy and the legendary Niamh Kilkenny are unavailable. 2024 centre-back Áine Keane and centre-forward Niamh McPeake both did their cruciate earlier in the campaign. Stepping up in their first semi-final appearance were Mairead Dillon and Caoimhe Kelly, both of whom sniped a pair from play. 'To be honest, we showed huge resilience. We were missing five all year, so this team has shown huge resilience to even get this far. To put in a performance like that with players who weren't on the team last year but have really, really stepped up to the plate, that is massive for the group. 'Losing a final last year was really hard. That was the goal all year to get back there. We are not being euphoric about getting there because we don't want to lose another one. We are there now so we want to win it.' While maybe unhappy with the concession of Tipp's first-half goal, which was the first dent in a six-point Galway lead being eradicated by half-time, Murray wasn't unhappy at being level at the break. 'They got a huge amount of oxygen from the goal. We always knew coming down today that the crowd would get behind Tipp if we allowed that to happen. We were doing really well in the game, and they got a big bounce from the goal. We limited the damage against the breeze to four points after the goal. 'That breeze, we talked about it before the start, we felt it was a four or five-point breeze, so we said we would be happy if we were within two or three at half-time, but instead we were level and we probably felt we should have been ahead. Things were going well, we felt we were doing the right things, and we were in a good spot. 'Took our scores really, really well in the third quarter. When the wind is behind you, you can take the wrong options, shoot from too far out, but we delivered good ball to our forwards, they were out in front, and really worked the scores well.' Cork, again, are the last stop on Galway's road to glory.