Minnie Hauk heads a field of seven for the 2025 Irish Oaks at The Curragh – who will come out on top in another Classic for the fillies?
Irish Oaks 2025
The fourth major Classic of the season for fillies is the Irish Oaks, which will take place at the Curragh on Saturday 19th July 2025.
First run in 1895, the race is contested over 1 mile and 4 furlongs (approximately 2,414 metres). It often features horses that previously ran in the Epsom Oaks, and this year is no exception.
After Thursday’s declaration stage, seven fillies remain entered, with four of those trained by Aidan O’Brien.
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- Aidan O’Brien is targeting a record-extending eighth victory in this race and has a strong hand once again including the bookmakers’ favourite
- Several key contenders have already met in high-level contests this season, adding depth to the form lines
- The 2025 Irish Oaks will be run at 15:40 as part of the Saturday 19th July card at The Curragh
- Steve Ryder sided with the favourite at a much more favourable price 10 days ago
Irish Oaks Betting Trends
In recent years, three fillies have completed the Oaks double by winning both the Epsom and Irish renewals – Snowfall (2021), Enable (2017), and Snow Fairy (2010). Minnie Hauk is the leading contender to repeat that feat this year.
From the last 12 winners of the Irish Oaks:
- 10 had official ratings of 103 or higher
- Eight had won on their previous outing
- Eight had previously won over 1m 4f
- Four had run in the Epsom Oaks, with two winning both races
Declared Irish Oaks Runners
Minnie Hauk
Undefeated this season, Minnie Hauk claimed victories in both the Cheshire Oaks and the Epsom Oaks. Her Epsom form has since been strongly boosted, with runner-up Whirl going on to win the Pretty Polly Stakes. She’s now favourite to secure the Irish Oaks crown, continuing her superb campaign.
Wemighttakedlongway
Winner of the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes earlier this year, she followed that with a solid fourth in the Epsom Oaks and a third-place finish behind Whirl in the Pretty Polly. This step back up in distance could suit her well, and she represents a strong Irish challenge outside of the Ballydoyle team.
Subsonic
Lightly raced, she was runner-up to Minnie Hauk as a two-year-old at Leopardstown. Her sole outing this season was unremarkable, but she hails from a yard currently in excellent form. She could be a lively outsider if showing improvement.
Merrily
Secured victory in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket in her final outing last season, but she’s yet to finish ahead of any rivals in her two Group 1 attempts this year, in the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks.
Island Hopping
Triumphed in a Gowran Park maiden last season, with a career record of one win from seven starts. She finished just 1¾ lengths behind Garden Of Eden in a listed race in May but struggled in the Ribblesdale Stakes, coming 10th, 17½ lengths adrift of the same rival. Faded over 1m6f in her latest run at Fairyhouse and may serve as a pacemaker in this race.
Bay Colony
Broke her maiden at the fifth attempt in a Limerick race in April but finished 7th of 9, beaten by 12 lengths, in a listed race over this distance last time out. Faces a tough task with an official rating of 85.
Butterfly Wings
Won a Leopardstown maiden over 1m2f in May but has struggled at listed and group levels in her subsequent three starts. Looks to face an uphill battle with an official rating of 83.
Irish Oaks Betting Tips & Prediction
Aidan O’Brien has won this a record seven times in the past and as soon as both MINNIE HAUK (advised at 8/11) and Whirl (pulled out at the declaration stage) crossed the line the Oaks at Epsom, this race was stated as her target and Whirl was heading to the Pretty Polly Stakes which she subsequently won.
Minnie Hauk has won her previous three starts including when herself and Whirl pulled four lengths clear of the third Desert Flower at Epsom in the Oaks. She was the choice of Ryan Moore that day and she looks set to emulate the likes of Snowfall, Enable and Snow Fairy who won both the English and Irish Oaks.
Recommended Selection: Minnie Hauk 8/11 - 2pt win (advised on 8th July)
