Aidan O’Brien is considering running three horses in the 2026 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: the 4-year-old Minnie Hauk and the 3-year-olds Diamond Necklace and Benvenuto Cellini.

A run in the Prix de l’Opéra Longines is also still under consideration for Diamond Necklace, although this option is not the preferred one at this stage.

In 2025, Minnie Hauk once again put Ballydoyle on the podium, finishing second behind Daryz. She was a 3-year-old at the time. This year, at the age of four, she is one of the three representatives being considered by her trainer.

After six consecutive victories – including the Prix de Diane Longines and the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches – Diamond Necklace went into the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville this summer as an unbeaten filly… before being beaten by the French-trained Aventure.

On Sunday 4 October at ParisLongchamp, she will tackle 2,400 metres for the first time if she takes her chance in the Arc. Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, meanwhile, comes into the race after finishing fifth in the Qatar Prix Niel.

A close second in the 2025 Arc, Minnie Hauk has been prepared with the 2026 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as her end-of-season target. Troubled by foot issues during the year, she has not been pushed to reach peak form too early, and her connections intend to step up her preparation as the Arc approaches.

On his three potential runners in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

“The intention is to run all three [Minnie Hauk, Diamond Necklace and Benvenuto Cellini, Ed.]. Obviously, Diamond also has the option of running in the fillies’ race on the same day [the Prix de l’Opéra, Ed.], but at the moment we are looking at running all three.”

On Diamond Necklace and her participation in the Arc

“Obviously, it is a race over 2,400 metres and she has never run over that far before. I think we are going to wait and see what the ground is like. Obviously, we would like good ground as she will be running over 2,400 metres for the first time. So we are going to wait until closer to the weekend before making a final decision. It is also possible that Precise could run in the Prix de l’Opéra.”

On Diamond Necklace’s ability to stay 2,400 metres

“Obviously, we cannot be certain that Diamond will stay 2,400 metres. But fillies of this type have done it over the years. We also had one eye on America and we did not want to stretch her. Sometimes, when you run over 2,400 metres for the first time, it can be a very hard race, even if the horse wins and stays the distance. If we go to the Arc, we still will not know whether she stays the distance until she does it. But there is a chance that she will stay. When a filly of this quality stays 2,400 metres, she can be very, very good.”