Breeders’ Cup possibility emerges for Minnie Hauk

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Minnie Hauk might have one more run this season, at the Breeders’ Cup.

Aidan O’Brien has raised the possibility of the dual Classic-winning filly taking on the colts once more, after she was only narrowly denied by Daryz in a pulsating renewal of the Arc in Paris.

Defeat brought an end to a run of three successive Group One wins, but if she continues to thrive at Ballydoyle she could make the trip to Del Mar next month.

“Minnie is very good, everything seems well with her and it’s possible she could be trained for the Breeders’ Cup Turf,” O’Brien told the PA news agency.

“It would be good to see her in that, it’s a possible and obviously she has to go through her work and everything perfectly.”

When asked if he thought Del Mar would suit the filly he said: “She’s natural, she’s nimble.”

Whether Delacroix runs at Ascot on British Champions Day has still not been rubber-stamped, but if he does go it appears it will be in the Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs rather than the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile.

O’Brien said: “I think it’s more positive (going to Ascot) than negative at the moment, the lads haven’t told me yet, but if the weather stays good, it’s looking more positive, I think.

“If he goes it looks like the Champion Stakes is the way he could be going, but the lads haven’t given him the go ahead yet. I think if that is the case, that’s where he could go.

“If he was going that’s where I’d like him to go, but that doesn’t mean that will happen.”

One horse who will not be seen again this season is Whirl, who disappointed in the Prix Vermeille.

“Whirl is finished for the year. It’s possible she could stay in training, in the last month they will decide on the ones who stay in training,” said O’Brien.