Arc victory would crown remarkable Minnie Hauk year but it will be toughest task of her career
Minnie Hauk should cope with conditions, but if they soften, she must improve again. Pic: Healy Racing
Andre Fabre is the most successful trainer in the history of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and can extend his record to nine successes by taking Sunday’s renewal with Cualificar.
The three-year-old colt has a little to find on form, but he is thoroughly unexposed over a mile and a half and has the right profile for this test. A maiden after two runs late last year, he made the breakthrough on his return, at Saint-Cloud, and followed up in two Group 3s.
He suffered his first defeat of the year when a close second behind Camille Pissarro in the French Derby, after which he was given a break. He returned over ten furlongs and finished third to Alohi Alii but was better than ever when overcoming some serious traffic issues in the Prix Niel.
That was his first run over a mile and a half, and he was value for much, much more than the short-neck winning distance in the Group 2.
A son of Lope De Vega and Epsom Oaks winner Qualify, he is versatile with regard to ground, and the unexposed colt can help jockey William Buick his breakthrough in the race.
According to the market, Fabre has stronger claims with Sosie, but, 12 months ago, he was sent off favourite for this race and had to settle for fourth place, having been well placed throughout. He also has something to find with Byzantine Dream on recent Prix Foy form.
Aidan O’Brien saddles market leader Minnie Hauk, who comes here on a perfect season. Since finishing runner-up on debut, in October of last year, she has won five times, and those victories include the Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks.
By Frankel out of a Juddmonte line that has produced Kingman, she has been one of the stars of 2025 and victory would crown a remarkable year. However, this is the toughest task of her career by some margin and while she would cope with conditions, should they soften, she must improve again to justify her place at the head of the market. She will do well to hold that position by the off time.
Aventure finished runner-up in 2024 and is very much respected. That renewal was slowly run and while she wasn’t terribly positioned, she was the only one to make progress from a little off the pace. She was unable to get to Bluestocking as the two pulled clear of the remainder and could be considered a shade unlucky. She has been as good as ever this term and there is no reason she cannot reach the frame once more.
Kalpana has the raw ability to be a leading player in her bid to give Juddmonte back-to-back wins in the race, but she strikes as the type that is difficult to win with. Unless the application of cheekpieces has a marked effect, she is likely to have to settle for a minor role once more.
