QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE : Aidan O’Brien to Saddle Minnie Hauk and Los Angeles

On Sunday, October 5th, Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, based at Ballydoyle (County Tipperary), will send out two runners in the 2025 renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1): Minnie Hauk and Los Angeles.

Minnie Hauk, a three-year-old filly, will need to be supplemented on Wednesday to run in the Arc (at a cost of €120,000). She is owned in partnership by Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor. Minnie Hauk has established herself at the very highest level by achieving an exceptional treble: the Epsom Oaks, the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks. A sequence that has only been completed seven times since 1970. A few years ago, it was achieved by Enable, who went on to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe just a few months later!

Minnie Hauk’s recent emphatic display at York has made her the bookmakers’ favorite across much of the UK. She will be ridden by top jockey Christophe Soumillon, already a two-time winner of the Arc.

Los Angeles, a four-year-old colt, has already proven himself in the great Parisian race: third in the 2024 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after making the running, he has been campaigned throughout 2025 with the clear aim of returning to ParisLongchamp. He races in the colors of Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Aidan O’Brien confirmed this morning that the colt will be ridden by Irish jockey Wayne Lordan.

Aidan O’Brien knows the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe well, having already won it twice with Dylan Thomas (2007)and Found (2016). A towering figure on the international stage, he holds multiple world records, including the highest number of Group 1 victories in a single season (28).

O’Brien spoke about the chances of his two contenders, as well as the significance of the Arc, during a press conference organized by France Galop on Tuesday afternoon.

Minnie Hauk’s Progress

“We have always thought a lot of her. She was, of course, a very expensive yearling [€1.85 million at Goffs, editor’s note] to whom we gave time. She finished second on debut in her maiden, behind a filly trained by my son Joseph [O’Brien, editor’s note]. And the filly who beat her [Wemightakedlongway, editor’s note] was then beaten by her in the Irish Oaks.

We knew she was a little behind this year, as she had only run twice at two. So she started off in a trial at Chester, then went on to Epsom. And of course, the rest you know!

We knew she was going to catch up, and she proved it by winning at Epsom and the Curragh. Between the Curragh and York, we felt she had improved again in her work, and that was confirmed on the day of the race.

Minnie Hauk is progressing slowly but surely, without interruption. Her last piece of work was excellent. Christophe [Soumillon, editor’s note] sat on her at the weekend [in training, editor’s note]. It was his first time on her, and he seemed very happy with her as well.”

Minnie Hauk’s first time facing such a large field

“Obviously, you can never be certain of anything before the race. But Minnie Hauk is very straightforward and easy to ride. She is always happy to go forward, she’s very uncomplicated. She’s a filly who travels strongly and has plenty of stamina. At Epsom, there was a big field and she coped very well. She has early speed and usually finds a good position quite easily. So yes, I hope she will handle it well.”

His view on the three-year-old fillies’ generation

“Minnie Hauk has not yet faced the other three-year-old fillies in a major international race. It is always intriguing. You never really know until they meet in those championship races. That is what makes it exciting.”

Los Angeles has long been targeted at the Arcc

“The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the race Los Angeles has been trained for all year. Last year, he put up a very good performance, even if the tactics were not ideal. He wasn’t beaten far. Los Angeles is adaptable: he handles all types of ground, but would probably be most comfortable if the ground eases.

At Ascot, things didn’t go our way [5th in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, editor’s note]. He probably had a harder race than we would have liked, but that’s how it was. The plan had always been to give him a little break afterwards, but it took him longer than expected to come back to himself. He made his comeback at the Curragh and ran well [4th in the Royal Whip Stakes, editor’s note]. Then, at ParisLongchamp, we were very happy with his performance [4th in the Qatar Prix Foy, editor’s note]. We think he has progressed since. He is expected to be ridden by Wayne Lordan.

He is an older horse, more mature, whom we know very well. Since his last race, he has come forward a lot. He is in very good form. Last time, he was maybe a little behind in his preparation. But now he has caught up. We are very pleased with him. There are still a few days to go before the race, but we couldn’t be happier with him.

Anything can happen in a race. There are so many variables you cannot control. Minnie Hauk and Los Angeles have never worked together, their preparations have been totally different. But it will be interesting to see them in the same race. All we can do as trainers is prepare our horses well, hope for a clear run, and that things go right.”

What the Arc Represents

“We try every year to come with our best horses to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It is a very prestigious race, extremely difficult to win. You need a top-class horse, that stays the trip, and a lot of things need to go right during the race. We have been lucky enough to win the Arc twice… It is a very important, very prestigious race. It captures the imagination of breeders, owners, jockeys and racing fans all over the world. It takes place at the perfect time of the year, in Paris. It is a unique race in a unique country and a unique city.”

QREC, the official partner of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

The QREC was established in the early 1960s before achieving official recognition in 1975. It is mandated with representing, promoting and advancing equine and equestrian initiatives, from grassroots programmes to the international arena. Focused on equestrian sport and horse welfare, the QREC is dedicated to promoting Qatar as a world class hub for horse racing and a leader in the Pure Arabian breed.

The QREC works in collaboration with local bodies dedicated to achieving excellence in planning, regulation and the development of Qatar’s racing industry to reflect the world's best practices. The QREC has been partner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe since 2008, and from 2022, it also became the title partner of the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, one of the most important races for the selection of the breed.