Minnie Hauk gave Wemiyagi’s Ronway an impressive finish, securing a strong victory at the Irish Oaks in Kara. This win completed a classic double for horses trained by Aidan O’Brien, following Frankel Philly’s Oaks triumph at Epsom in early June.
Starting as a heavy 2-11 favorite, Minnie Hauk competed against six other contenders in Saturday’s Mile and a Half Group Contest. Jockey Ryan Moore teamed up with O’Brien’s runner Island, who set the pace, while Joseph O’Brien’s Wemigre Lake (7-2) took the second position, eventually finishing third.
Despite needing to make up ground in the last two furlongs, Minnie Hauk pulled away to win by a length and a quarter, with Island Hopping (20-1) finishing third. This victory marked O’Brien’s eighth win at the Irish Oaks.
Moore expressed optimism after the race, saying, “She’s a good filly and I’m going to continue working to improve her. We’re still learning about her, and she has the potential to be even better.”
Fan Take: This impressive double win by O’Brien-trained horses underscores their dominance in the classic races and highlights exciting talent to watch in the sport. For horse racing fans, Minnie Hauk’s promising performance hints at thrilling future contests and the ongoing thrill of elite competition.