Turf hope Minnie Hauk to lead O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup team

Aidan O’Brien has assembled a Del Mar-bound Breeders’ Cup team headed by the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Minnie Hauk.

The filly, a three-time Group One winner, missed out by just a head at ParisLongchamp earlier in the month and now has the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in her sights.

“Our races have been nicely spaced out this year and she came out of the Arc well; everybody seems happy with her so that’s what we’re thinking at the moment,” the trainer told the Breeders’ Cup.

Of the fast ground, the trainer added: “Yes, she loves it. She’s a very good mover, she would love fast ground, absolutely.”

Another filly travelling from Ballydoyle to California is Bedtime Story, who finished fourth to Kalpana in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last weekend.

O’Brien said: “She ran well, very happy. She’d probably have preferred a stronger pace but ran very well. She definitely could go for the Filly & Mare Turf, that’s what we’re thinking.”

Dewhurst runner-up Gstaad is entered for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, a step up to a mile after previous efforts over six and seven furlongs.

“At the moment that’s what we’re thinking,” O’Brien said of the race.

“He came out of the Dewhurst well. We think the fast ground and a mile will suit him.”

O’Brien also confirmed that the Group One-winning filly Precise is targeting the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and The Lion in Winter could go for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile, with True Love a possible for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.