Minnie Hauk won the Epsom Oaks (G1) on June 6 after a long battle with stablemate Whirl. Favorite Desert Flower finished third after struggling to turn into the home straight at Epsom Downs Racecourse. When Desert Flower, the unbeaten Godolphin filly, won the One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket last month, the market and stable confidence were strong behind her. William Buick, her rider, chose to follow Minnie Hauk, who was gaining ground on Whirl, the previous resounding winner of the Musidora Stakes (G3) at York. Whirl and Minnie Hauk moved with ease as the horses rounded Tattenham Corner, but Desert Flower began to feel pressure. It seemed that stamina did not appear to be an issue, although the track did.
“She continued after the other filly returned. She stayed on nicely and is a talented filly. I’m really pleased with her, and I hope she’ll continue to do so.” For the eleventh time in a row, Aidan O’Brien won the Oaks. “I was thrilled with this filly and she’s very classy,” O’Brien stated. She improved from the time she was just prepared to run at Chester. She is a very dynamic filly, and Ryan gave her a lovely ride. It’s clear that she is learning, and her racing skills will advance. Minnie Hauk, Frankel’s barely raced daughter, won her first top-level event last month when she made her third start at Chester in the Cheshire Oaks. Regarding Desert Flower, she was harmed by the Night of Thunder filly first loss in six career starts for trainer Charlie Appleby.
She fought her corner all the way up the straight after coming under pressure to turn for home. Though she never appeared to be interested in reaching the front two, she was never closer than near the end. Minnie Hauk sold to the Coolmore partners for €1.85 million, making her the top seller at the 2023 Goffs September Orby Sale. The Dansili mare Multilingual, the mother of 2021 Summer Mile Stakes (G2) winner and Prix d’Ispahan (G1) runner-up Tilsit (First Defence), is the mother of the 3-year-old, the second group stakes winner. Multilingual, a half-sibling of 2014 Cartier Horse of the Year and exceptional stallion Kingman, is the daughter of group 1 winner Zenda.
