White Birch won his first Group One of the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, extending his outstanding start to the season.
John Joseph Murphy's grey, who finished third in the Derby last year behind the reopposing Auguste Rodin, got off to a good start in the Group Three Alleged Stakes in April. Three weeks ago, he followed up at the Group Two level over the same course and distance in Mooresbridge.
Auguste Rodin, the winner of the dual Derby, was the slight favourite at 11-10 as he attempted to recover from a dismal performance in Dubai. However, despite his scary approach in the straight, White Birch (15-8) performed better in his slipstream under the guidance of a stationary Colin Keane.
Upon being requested to extend, the grey displayed astute acceleration, separating himself and Auguste Rodin by three lengths, with Crypto Force trailing in third place eight lengths behind.
“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.”