Tag Archive for: White Birch

Setback brings early end to White Birch campaign

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White Birch has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a setback.

John Joseph Murphy’s stable star enjoyed a fantastic start to his four-year-old campaign, landing the Group Three Alleged Stakes and the Group Two Mooresbridge Stakes before claiming Group One glory with a comprehensive defeat of Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

The grey has not been seen in competitive action since that late May success, missing a planned rematch with Auguste Rodin in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot due to unsatisfactory blood test results and also sidestepping the Eclipse at Sandown and York’s Juddmonte International.

Connections had been targeting a return to action in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday week, but he will now sit out the remainder of 2024.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, said: “He’s just strained his near hock and he has to have box rest for three to four weeks, so unfortunately that will rule him out.

“It’s just bad timing and it’s unfortunate, but we’re looking forward to him next year.”



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All-star cast poised to take on City Of Troy at York next week

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City Of Troy is among of bumper field of 16 confirmations for what looks like being the race of the season in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

Aidan O’Brien’s Derby and Eclipse winner will face his toughest test to date against some new rivals from the Classic generation and a high-class field of older horses. O’Brien has also left in Continuous, Hans Andersen and Los Angeles.

There is a strong challenge from France in Calandagan, who was so impressive at Royal Ascot for Francis-Henri Graffard, and the Jerome Reynier-trained Zarakem, runner-up in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Durezza, the Japanese St Leger winner, will attempt to avenge Zenno Rob Roy’s narrow defeat in 2005.

Top filly Bluestocking is still a possible for the sponsors, while Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly looks sure to be suited by the drop in trip for James Fanshawe.

Owen Burrows’ Alflaila has won three Group races already at York and rates a danger, as does Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter, not far behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse.

Top-quality horses such as Maljoom, Israr, Docklands and Royal Rhyme are available at big prices, indicating just how strong the contest is shaping up to be.

And further strength could be added by White Birch, who faces a key gallop on Friday which will determine whether or not he lines up.

The four-year-old has not been seen since lowering the colours of Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. He was a late absentee from the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot due to an unsatisfactory blood test result and also missed the Eclipse having failed to fully recover.

“He’s in very good form. He’s due to have a piece of work tomorrow, Colin Keane will ride him and we’ll have a chat with the owners after that and make a decision whether he goes to York or whether he goes straight to the Irish Champion Stakes,” said George Murphy, assistant trainer to his father, John, on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.

White Birch left Auguste Rodin toiling at the Curragh
White Birch left Auguste Rodin toiling at the Curragh (Healy Racing)

“Tomorrow or the next day we’ll know what way we are going.

“There are a few other races we are thinking about so it’s a final decision on what way we map out his summer and autumn campaign. He’s in super form, he had a little bit of a break and seems to have done very well so fingers crossed all goes well over the next few days.

“He had three races very close to one another, so it was probably no harm (having a break). You can’t keep going all year and there are some exciting races towards the end of the year we are very focussed on.

“The Arc is definitely still an option and it’s fairly high up on the list, but there’s the Irish Champion Stakes, the Arc and the English Champion Stakes as well so there’s plenty of options.

“We’ll know a little bit more in the coming few days. He’s in good shape and whatever will be will be.”



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City Of Troy hardens as Eclipse favourite after White Birch KO

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City Of Troy is now the 2-5 favourite with the sponsor for Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse after leading rival White Birch was ruled out.

The Derby hero was already the 1-2 market leader on the back of his Epsom victory, but his odds were further trimmed after it was reported Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch will not travel to Sandown, as connections were not entirely satisfied with the results of a blood test on Wednesday.

White Birch’s defection has left Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini and the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter now joint second-favourites at 7-1.

“It’s obviously disappointing for all concerned that White Birch will not be lining up in Saturday’s big race, and he would have been the chief market rival to City Of Troy, but in his absence, the Derby winner is now 2-5 favourite to complete the big-race double,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

In White Birch’s absence, connections of Dancing Gemini are relishing the chance to take over the mantle of City Of Troy’s biggest danger, as they attempt to reverse Epsom form with the Derby victor.

The colt’s trainer has the utmost respect for the challenge Aidan O’Brien’s son of Justify presents, but is optimistic he can close the eight-and-a-quarter-length gap that separated Dancing Gemini and the winner on the Surrey Downs.

“It’s quite sad news for connections (of White Birch), maybe not so sad for us, but he will be a big loss to the race, that’s for sure,” said Teal on a media call arranged by the Jockey Club.

“City Of Troy is a very good horse and Aidan has been very confident and bullish about him. Even after the Guineas run, he knew that was an off day.

“We’ve got to respect him but we’ve got to roll our sleeves up and do what we do – and if we can get anywhere near him, then we would have run a blinder.

“We had a wide trip in the Derby and were further back than we wanted to be. Ryan (Moore) went down the inner and Dylan (Browne McMonagle) went on the outer, so City Of Troy gained many lengths on us there. If we are a lot closer to him, I can see him shortening the distance for sure.

“The horse is fit and well and we’ve just got to let the horse do what he can do.

“I think the whole team does a great job and we seem to find a good one each year or every other year. For a yard of our size, it is brilliant and we’ve been to some big occasions – and I don’t think we’ve ever disgraced ourselves.”



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Eclipse decision on White Birch to be made on Wednesday

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A final decision on White Birch’s Coral-Eclipse participation will be made on Wednesday, with connections hopeful their leading light can take his place in an all-star showdown with City Of Troy at Sandown.

Third in the Derby last year, a cautious approach from his training team has paid dividends this season as the son of Ulysses has recorded three notable victories in the first half of the campaign.

White Birch got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin in the most recent of those triumphs, securing a first Group One and the biggest success of John Joseph Murphy’s training career since Newmill won the Champion Chase in 2006.

Derby winner City Of Troy lies in wait for White Birch at Sandown on Saturday
Derby winner City Of Troy lies in wait for White Birch at Sandown on Saturday (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Auguste Rodin roared back to form in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race White Birch had to miss on account of some unsatisfactory blood results.

The colt will now conclude his preparations for the 10-furlong event in midweek when connections hope to give the trip to Esher the go-ahead.

“The plan is to go to Sandown and he will have a breeze tomorrow (Wednesday) and he will have his blood done in the morning again, with a decision made after midday,” said the trainer’s son and assistant, George.

“Hopefully we will be able to go and we’re really looking forward to it.”

At Sandown, White Birch would have to concede 10lb to Epsom hero City Of Troy as well as the other three-year-olds in the mix, which include Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter, Roger Teal’s French 2000 Guineas runner-up Dancing Gemini and Brian Meehan’s Royal Ascot scorer Jayarebe.



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City Of Troy and White Birch feature in Eclipse confirmations

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City Of Troy and White Birch look to be on course for a mouthwatering clash of the generations at Sandown on Saturday after the pair featured among 11 confirmations for the Coral-Eclipse.

Having put 2000 Guineas disappointment behind him with an imperious display in the Derby, City Of Troy will be a warm order to provide Aidan O’Brien with an eighth Eclipse success. The Ballydoyle handler has also left in Continuous, Hans Anderson and last month’s Coronation Cup hero Luxembourg.

City Of Troy will be meeting his elders for the first time and his biggest threat appears to be the four-year-old White Birch, who is three from three this season for John Joseph Murphy.

White Birch pulls clear of Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup
White Birch pulls clear of Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Healy Racing/PA)

The grey was last seen claiming the notable scalp of City Of Troy’s esteemed stablemate and subsequent Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. White Birch was also under consideration for Royal Ascot before an unsatisfactory blood test scuppered his participation.

Roget Teal’s Dancing Gemini could renew rivalry with City Of Troy after finishing sixth in the Derby, while the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter has also proven himself a high-class three-year-old by finishing fourth in both the 2000 Guineas and the French Derby.

Brian Meehan’s Hampton Court victor Jayarebe and Andrew Balding’s filly See The Fire are the other two potential runners from the Classic generation, with Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa and Stay Alert from Hughie Morrison’s yard completing the acceptors.



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Eclipse possibility for Royal Ascot absentee White Birch

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White Birch could be headed for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and a clash with City Of Troy after a setback saw him withdrawn from the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The four-year-old John Joseph Murphy-trained grey was all set for a mouthwatering rematch with Auguste Rodin on Wednesday before connections were forced to skip the big meeting and look elsewhere.

The son of Ulysses, third behind Auguste Rodin in last year’s Derby, beat Aidan O’Brien’s charge by three lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh for his first success at Group One level.

But now a trip to Sandown on July 6 is potentially on the cards, with another option being a step up in trip to a mile and a half for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 30.

George Murphy, son of the trainer, told the PA news agency: “We had a blood result come back yesterday and it wasn’t perfect so we said we’d leave the trip.

“We’ll have to have a chat with the owners now before we decide where to go.

“He’s in the Eclipse and he’s in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the end of the month, so it’s probably one of the two of those.

“The ground (at Royal Ascot) wasn’t a concern for us.”



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White Birch absent from Prince of Wales’s rematch with Auguste Rodin

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The rematch between Auguste Rodin and White Birch in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is off, with John Murphy’s grey a notable absentee from a final field of nine for Wednesday’s Royal Ascot feature.

Having met in the Tattersalls Gold Cup recently, where White Birch came out on top, the pair meeting again would have been one of the highlights of the week, but that will now have to be another day.

For Auguste Rodin, last year’s dual Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, it was a first defeat when he has not totally run below form, but Aidan O’Brien is expecting him to improve for the run. O’Brien is also represented by Hans Andersen.

There are four runners trained in France – Blue Rose Cen and Snobbish, both trained by Maurizio Guarnieri, Zarakem for Jerome Reynier and Patrice Cottier’s Horizon Dore.

The UK challenge is led by John and Thady Gosden’s Inspiral and is supplemented by the Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme.

A big field of 26 will go to post for the Queen Mary, with the unbeaten Enchanting Empress making her first start for Raphael Freire having won three for Dominic French Davis.

Make Haste has impressed to date for Diego Dias and is sure to have her supporters, while Ryan Moore is on O’Brien’s Truly Enchanting. Leovanni and Wesley Ward’s Ultima Grace are others to note.

Last year’s winner Rogue Millennium is back again in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes but this time represents Joseph O’Brien rather than Tom Clover.

Stablemate Gregarina, Willie McCreery’s Ocean Jewel and Adrian Murray’s Magical Sunset give Ireland a strong hand, with Christopher Head’s Sea The Lady also declared against Laurel for the Gosdens.

Aidan O’Brien has four of the 12 declared in the Queen’s Vase in Grosvenor Square, Highbury, Illinois and The Equator, while Jessica Harrington’s Birdman is another well-fancied runner.

A maximum 30 will go to post for the Royal Hunt Cup with top-weight Sonny Liston aiming to go one better than last year.

There are 25 in the Kensington Palace Stakes with the weights headed by the Harrington-trained Villanova Queen, while in the closing Windsor Palace Stakes a maximum field of 28 juveniles, including Richard Fahey’s Shadow Army, will come hurtling down Ascot’s straight five furlongs.



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White Birch and Auguste Rodin set to renew rivalry

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White Birch and Auguste Rodin are on course to meet again in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

Last season’s dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin had the edge in those Classic contests, but currently has ground to make up on John Joseph Murphy’s grey, who has won all three of his races this term.

Nevertheless, the bookmakers have Aidan O’Brien’s runner as their favourite, expecting him to come forward from the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

French challengers Horizon Dore, Zarakem and Blue Rose Cen are set for action, while Inspiral – who is likely to run in the Queen Anne on the opening day – Alflaila and 2020 winner Lord North are also among 13 confirmations.

James Tate’s Royal Dress, a luckless third at Epsom in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, has been supplemented for the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes. The winner of that race, John and Sean Quinn’s Breege, features in the 19 possibles, too.

Surprisingly, there is no Aidan O’Brien representative, but his son Joseph can choose from Goldana, Gregarina and Rogue Millennium, last year’s winner when with Tom Clover.

John and Thady Gosden’s Laurel and Willie McCreery’s Ocean Jewel are other major contenders.

A big field looks assured in the Queen Mary, with 36 youngsters entered, including Wesley Ward’s Burning Pine and Saturday Flirt, Aidan O’Brien’s Fairy Godmother and Andrew Balding’s Kassaya, a half-sister to Guineas winner Chaldean.

Wesley Ward (right) is back for more Ascot glory
Wesley Ward (right) is back for more Ascot glory (John Walton/PA)

There are 17 in the Queen’s Vase, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for seven, including the promising Highbury, who won by seven and a half lengths last time out.

Balding’s Derby fifth Sayedaty Sadaty and Roger Varian’s Defiance are others of note.

A total of 66 remain in the Royal Hunt Cup, with the weights headed by last year’s runner-up Sonny Liston.

Ouzo, Holloway Boy, Notre Belle Bete and Beshtani are others towards the top.



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White Birch floors Auguste Rodin for Tattersalls gold at the Curragh

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White Birch continued his brilliant start to the season by claiming a first Group One victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Third behind the reopposing Auguste Rodin in the Derby last year, John Joseph Murphy’s grey made a successful start to his four-year-old campaign in the Group Three Alleged Stakes in April before following up over the same course and distance at Group Two level in the Mooresbridge three weeks ago.

Dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin was the marginal favourite at 11-10 as he looked to bounce back from a disappointing run in Dubai, but while he moved menacingly into it in the straight, White Birch (15-8) was going even better in his slipstream in the hands of a motionless Colin Keane.

Once asked to extend, the grey showed smart acceleration to put three lengths between himself and Auguste Rodin, with Crypto Force a further eight lengths behind in third.

“That couldn’t have gone better. We got behind the two we wanted to be behind (early),” said Keane.

“Ryan (Moore, on Auguste Rodin) brought us as far as we could, then we just quickened up well.

“He cantered into it. He has plenty of pace but would have no bother going a bit further.

“He has matured massively from three to four.”

White Birch and Colin Keane with connections after winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup
White Birch and Colin Keane with connections after winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Healy Racing/PA)

Paddy Power cut White Birch to 7-1 from 25-1 for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, while he is 8-1 from 20-1 for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, said: “We’ve been waiting a long time for one as good as him. He’s a bit more chilled out this year and has progressed from race to race.

“People thought last year when he was a bit slow away from the gates a few times and he was coming from off the pace that he was more of a stayer, but he’s getting to show what he can do now.

“He’s got form on very quick ground as well, so he seems to handle them all. Colin was very good on him, as he always is, and gave him a super ride. He’s a master of his trade.

“We’ll enjoy today and make a plan from here.”

Aidan O’Brien, meanwhile, took plenty of positives from the run of Auguste Rodin and was also quick to praise winning connections.

“I thought he ran very well. The ground went against him and he got into a little bit of a speed wobble coming down off the hill and it took a little bit of time to get back in his rhythm. Obviously John’s horse picked him up well, but we were very happy,” he said.

“He still went out on his shield today and the next time we’ll be ready. We were thinking of the Prince of Wales’s next, but we’ll see what the lads want to do.

“I’m delighted for John and his son George.”



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No rush to map out Group One goal for White Birch

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White Birch will look to continue the flying start he has made to the new season by claiming a first Group One victory in either the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh or the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Third behind Auguste Rodin in last year’s Derby, the grey son of Ulysses appears to have taken his game to another level as a four-year-old judged on back-to-back spring victories at the Curragh in the Alleged and Mooresbridge Stakes respectively.

A return to the home of Irish Flat racing for the Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 26 could be next on the agenda for White Birch, although Epsom the following week is also under consideration.

“He’s been very good, it’s been a lovely start and we’re looking forward to the rest of the year,” said trainer John Murphy’s son, George.

“We’re not certain where we’ll go yet, we’re just going to see how he is. He came out of his last race well and we’ll just play it by ear, but he’ll be left in plenty of races and we’ll see how his form is coming up to them.

“The Tattersalls Gold Cup would be an obvious one, or if he needed a bit longer then maybe he’d go to Epsom for the Coronation.

“He’s won his couple of Group Threes now and a Group Two so he’s definitely entitled to have another crack at a Group One, I think.”



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Mooresbridge magic from impressive White Birch

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Last year’s Epsom Derby third White Birch made it two wins from two outings this term with a convincing victory in the Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.

John Murphy’s grey colt came from off the pace to shade Maxux in the Alleged Stakes here last month but took up a much handier position early on in this Group Two contest over the same trip of 10 furlongs.

With Elegant Man a non runner, Colin Keane asked the four-year-old to pick off pacesetter Greenland just after turning for home and the result never looked in doubt from that point onwards.

White Birch soon put daylight between him and the chasing pack and nothing came close to closing the gap, with 20-1 outsider Lord Massusus ultimately finishing three and three-quarter lengths back in second.

Greenland plugged on gamely for third place, but Village Voice and the well-backed Maxux disappointed in fourth and fifth respectively, despite both being better off at the weights from when close up behind White Birch last time.

The victor could now head back to Epsom and was cut to 12-1 from 20-1 for the Coronation Cup by both Betfair and Paddy Power.

George Murphy, assistant trainer to his father, said: “I’m very pleased with that, it was a very good performance.

Guineas Festival Trials – Curragh Racecourse – Monday 6th May
Colin Keane and White Birch (Niall Carson/PA).

“He travelled along nicely, they didn’t go much of a gallop, but it was by far his best performance. We couldn’t be happier with that.

“We’ll see how he comes out of that and talk to the owners to make a plan. He has the option of the Tattersalls Gold Cup and also the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

“He’s come on a nice bit from the last day and hopefully he can come on again.”



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White Birch enjoys ‘lovely’ comeback win at the Curragh

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Last year’s Derby third White Birch made the perfect start to his four-year-old season with victory in the Tote.ie Alleged Stakes at the Curragh.

Behind only the esteemed Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel at Epsom, John Murphy’s stable star was out of luck in two subsequent starts.

Sent on his way here as the 100-30 favourite, he showed he will be a force to be reckoned with this year, making ground from two furlongs out and keeping on strongly over the 10 furlongs of the Group Three affair to hold Maxux by a neck.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, said: “That was lovely, we’re delighted with that.

“You’d always be worried a bit about fitness on that sticky ground but he did it lovely in the end, behaved very well and we couldn’t be happier with him. It was a lovely way to start.

“He did everything right today, he was at the start for a good while and he was very chilled out. He travelled lovely throughout the race and did what he had to do when it mattered. He seems more mature.

“He’s in the Coronation (Cup) and in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, we’ll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do from here. We’ll see how he comes out of it first and go from there.

“He’s clearly fairly good at a mile and a quarter, but obviously going back to a mile and a half is no issue either.”



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White Birch bidding to bloom in Curragh reappearance

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Connections of White Birch are keeping their fingers crossed Saturday’s Curragh meeting goes ahead to allow last season’s Derby third to make his reappearance in the Tote.ie Alleged Stakes.

Winner of the Ballysax Stakes on heavy ground at Leopardstown 12 months ago, John Joseph Murphy’s colt went on to finish a close second to The Foxes in the Dante at York before picking up the bronze medal behind Auguste Rodin in the premier Classic at Epsom in early June.

The grey failed to fire in the Irish Derby on his next start but rounded off his season with a close-up fourth in a Group Three on Irish Champions Weekend and George Murphy, assistant to his father, views this 10-furlong contest as a suitable starting point for his four-year-old campaign.

“We’re getting an awful lot of rain here, I don’t know what they’re getting in the Curragh, but I would imagine it will be the same,” he said.

“It’ll be tough going, but it will be loose ground and he’ll more than likely run if it goes ahead.

“He’ll definitely come on for it. Everything has been going well, we probably would have liked to have got him on the grass a couple more times, but other than that, we’re very happy with him.

“We’ll make a plan for what’s next after the weekend.”

White Birch is the highest-rated horse in a nine-strong entry list, with Noel Meade fielding a pair of multiple course winners in Lafayette and Helvic Dream.

Lafayette has struck gold at the home of Irish Flat racing on four occasions, with Helvic Dream a three-time course winner, most notably claiming Group One honours in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Maxux at Fairyhouse
Maxux at Fairyhouse (PA)

Maxux, who carries the colours of Spanish footballer Alvaro Odriozola, has won twice from four previous starts for Joseph O’Brien and was last seen plundering a Group Three prize at Fairyhouse in September.

“She looks like she handles soft ground and that is what it is going to be at the weekend,” said O’Brien.

“Although it looks a really competitive race and she is taking on colts, it looks a nice starting point for her.

“We’re just hoping for a nice run and hope it’s a nice starting point. At this time of the season, it’s all about a platform that she can build on. I’m sure there will be easier opportunities at this level as the year goes on, but this is a good starting point.”

Aidan O’Brien has won four of the last six runnings of the Alleged Stakes and this year relies upon Greenland, while Crypto Force makes his stable debut for Adrian Murray, having been off the track since claiming the 2022 Beresford Stakes.

Mashhoor (Johnny Murtagh), The Shadow Lingers (Luke Comer) and Village Voice (Jessica Harrington) are the other hopefuls.



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White Birch ‘looks super’, as connections look forward to return of Derby third

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Next month’s Alleged Stakes has been identified as a potential comeback target for last season’s Derby third White Birch.

John Joseph Murphy’s grey kicked off his three-year-old campaign in the best possible fashion by winning the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown and was beaten only a neck into second place by The Foxes on his next appearance in the Dante at York.

The Ulysses colt ran another fine race in defeat when placed behind Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel in the premier Classic at Epsom, and while he disappointed in the Irish Derby, he rounded off his season with a creditable fourth place in a Group Three at Leopardstown in September.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, reports White Birch to have wintered well and hopes he will return to competitive action at the Curragh on April 6, granted suitable conditions.

“He’s in full work and looks super, he’s training very nicely,” he said.

“He’s a fine, big, tall horse so you’d hope he could improve from three to four. He’s doing everything nicely at the moment.

“I’d say that (Alleged Stakes) could be an option, but if the ground is completely bottomless we might just hold off for another bit. We’ll just see what the weather does over the next couple of weeks, but that’s definitely in our minds at the moment, to go for the Alleged.

“It’s got to the stage where you nearly can’t remember a good day it’s been raining for so long, but it’s surely got to turn at some stage.”

Should White Birch come through his return with flying colours, a return to Group One company in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 26 could be on his agenda.

Murphy added: “There’s a few races, those two (Alleged Stakes and Tattersalls Gold Cup) are high up on the list at the moment, but it’s been so difficult with the weather you just don’t know which way things are going to go over the next fortnight.

“We’ll play it by ear for the moment, but we’ll probably start over a mile and a quarter and explore going a bit further as the year goes on, that’s the way we’d be looking at it.”



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Murphy team retain full faith in White Birch

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White Birch skips an option at Kempton on Monday but connections have high hopes there are plenty of nice prizes for him to win next season.

Third in the Derby to Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, his only disappointing effort was in the Irish equivalent when he was hampered by an injured rival.

After that he went close at Leopardstown in a Group Three behind Adelaide River and he was entered in the Listed Floodlit Stakes at Kempton.

However, he is now finished for the season but all the major middle distance races will be on his radar next term.

George Murphy, assistant trainer and son of trainer John, said: “We decided he wouldn’t travel and that looks like the end for this year.

“He stays in training and we’re really looking forward to him. It’s easy to put a line through the Irish Derby and other than that, he ran some massive races.

“We’re really looking forward to next year, when he should be able to compete in a lot of nice races and do very well.

“Something like the Tattersalls Gold Cup will be an option, there are lots of races we can aim at so we’ll sit down and make a plan over the winter.”



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