Minnie Hauk won Monday's Mooresbridge Stakes. Aidan O'Brien then confirmed a season plan that, if completed, would place her among the greatest middle-distance fillies of the modern era. Here is the full road ahead.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup — Late May
The immediate next target is the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in late May. O'Brien was specific: "The Tattersalls Gold Cup is the plan, and that was the perfect prep for it." The Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh runs across a weekend in late May, with enhanced prize money reinforcing its status as one of the most prestigious Group 1s of the early summer. A horse that won the Mooresbridge and goes on to win the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the same track would complete a natural progression — soft Group 2 return, hard Group 1 test, in a six-week sequence.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes — Royal Ascot
O'Brien confirmed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot as the target to follow the Tattersalls Gold Cup: "If the Tattersalls Gold Cup went well, she could go to Ascot for the Prince of Wales's." The Prince of Wales's Stakes is the most prestigious middle-distance race at the Royal Meeting — a Group 1 over a mile and two furlongs that attracts the best horses in Europe. It would be Minnie Hauk's first appearance at Royal Ascot as a four-year-old and her opportunity to confirm her status as the best middle-distance filly on the continent.
The Arc — Unfinished Business at Longchamp
O'Brien indicated a second attempt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October remains on the agenda. Minnie Hauk was beaten a head by Daryz at Longchamp last season — the race fell apart slightly and she found herself in front sooner than ideal. A horse that ran to within a head of winning Europe's most valuable race on her first attempt, and that O'Brien specifically described as having had "unfinished business" at Longchamp, is a horse with a specific motivation for returning.
Daryz, who beat her by a head, is also likely to defend his Arc crown. A rematch at Longchamp in October — Minnie Hauk vs Daryz, round two — is one of the most compelling long-range storylines available in European racing.
Trotbot covers all of Minnie Hauk's remaining season targets. Free daily tips at horseracingoracleai.com
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Facts verified via web search May 5 2026.