Minnie Hauk Leads O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Team; Goliath Anchors Graffard Trio

[Wandering Eyes]

The Breeders' Cup teams for Aidan O'Brien and Francis-Henri Graffard are taking shape, with both set to send strong representation to the two-day event at Del Mar on October 31 and November 1.

Leading the Ballydoyle cavalry is Minnie Hauk, winner of the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks and runner-up in the Arc. The daughter of Frankel is training toward the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf.

“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,” said O'Brien.

G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes fourth Bedtime Story (Frankel) is possible for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

O'Brien reported, “She ran well, very happy. She'd probably have preferred a stronger pace but ran very well. She definitely could go for the Fillies and Mares Turf, that's what we're thinking, maybe.”

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf is the likely next port of call for G1 Dewhurst Stakes second Gstaad (Starspangledbanner).

“Yes, at the moment, that's what we're thinking [for Gstaad],” he said. “He came out of the Dewhurst well. We think the fast ground in a mile will suit him.”

Other Ballydoyle horses with their eyes on Breeders' Cup riches include dual Group 1-winning filly Precise (Starspangledbanner) for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. O'Brien could also send True Love (No Nay Never) for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Graffard Could Have Giant Impact At BC

Although his potential Breeders' Cup team numbers just three, French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is likely to continue his banner year, this time abroad.

Leading the Graffard trio is Goliath (Adlerflug), who recently won the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, and was successful in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2024. He has been supplemented by John Stewart's Resolute Racing for $200,000 to try his hand in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Graffard said, “John Stewart is very keen to run him, the horse is well and if John is happy, we can go, and I'm happy to take the horse there.”

“[The fast ground is] not ideal, but I think the track is very tricky; you need a lot of luck in running. The horse is in very good form, and I think I am getting him back to his best form. He seems very happy, so if he travels well and we have a bit of luck, he can run a big race.”

Currently leading the French trainers' standings, Graffard won the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Daryz (Sea The Stars) at the beginning of the month. He has yet to win at the Breeders' Cup from five attempts, with his Malavath (Mehmas) second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf his best showing so far.

He said, “I keep trying, but it's a very tough meeting, and maybe I didn't bring the right horses at the time, but it will come.”

G1 Prix de Moulin de Longchamp hero Sahlan (Wootton Bassett) holds an entry in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile for Al Shaqab Racing, while another bound for California from the Graffard yard is Gezora (Almanzor). Only 13th in the Arc, the G1 Prix de Diane heroine is pointing to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Graffard added, “The Arc didn't go her way. She didn't have a great draw, and she found herself way too far back; it was really hard to come from behind there. I think we can draw a line on her performance in the Arc; she's better than that.

“I think that Del Mar shouldn't be a problem for her; all will depend on the field. She's a great filly.”

 

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