Aidan O’Brien has favourites for the Derby on both sides of the English Channel. Hawk Mountain, winner of the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last season, has shot to the head of the betting for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) after winning on Monday.
With most eyes on Newmarket over the Bank Holiday, few may have spotted Hawk Mountain’s entry at Chantilly. However, the son of Wootton Bassett drew the racing world’s attention with a commanding front-running victory in the Group 3 Prix de Guiche.
With Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, Hawk Mountain was pestered by Campacite for the lead. Ballydoyle are familiar with Jean-Claude Rouget’s runner after he was second to Puerto Rico in Group 1 company last term. However, shrugging off that rival’s attentions, Hawk Mountain was able to win despite showing signs of freshness.
His price is a general 3/1 for the French Derby at the start of June. O’Brien has an abundance of options for both Derbies, as well as the Irish equivalent later in the season.
“He’s always been a laidback horse” – O’Brien
The manner of Hawk Mountain’s success may have encouraged some detractors. He may have pout the race to bed, but was far from professional in doing so at odds-on.
For a first run of 2026 though, this was accomplished enough. O’Brien clearly believes his charge will take a step forward from this run too.
“I spoke to Chrisophe and he said he felt a very good horse but still felt very green,” the winning trainer told Racing TV via the Sporting Life.
“If he goes back to the French Derby it’s nice to have gone around the track with him but he’s always been a laidback horse. The ground was much quicker, he’s done most of his running on soft ground because at the time of the year that’s what the ground was.
“But Christophe said he had no problem with the quicker ground and we just had cheekpieces on today to stop him being lazy. He said he was surprised how green he was but loved him and said he felt a very good horse.”
“Nine furlongs around there, if he goes back to the French Derby, should be the perfect prep for him.”
Even by Ballydoyle’s standards, Hawk Mountain is bred in the purple. As well as being by super-sire Wootton Bassett, his dam is Hydrangea, a two-time Group 1 winner. Those wins came over 1m and 1m4f, so a variety of trips are likely to be within Hawk Mountain’s range this campaign.