White Birch ruled out from the rest of the season

White Birch has been sidelined for the rest of the season due to a setback.

John Joseph Murphy’s star four-year-old had a stellar start to his campaign, winning the Group Three Alleged Stakes and Group Two Mooresbridge Stakes before securing a Group One victory over Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

However, since that win in late May, the grey has been absent from competitive racing. He missed a planned rematch with Auguste Rodin in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot due to unsatisfactory blood test results, and also skipped the Eclipse at Sandown and the Juddmonte International at York.

Connections had aimed for a return in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown next week, but he will now be out for the remainder of 2024.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, said: "He’s strained his near hock and will need box rest for three to four weeks, which unfortunately rules him out for the season. It’s very unfortunate timing, but we’re looking forward to his return next year."