A decision regarding White Birch’s participation in the Coral-Eclipse will be made today. Connections are optimistic that he will compete against City Of Troy at Sandown in a highly anticipated showdown.
After finishing third in the Derby last year, White Birch's training team's cautious approach has paid off this season with three notable victories. The son of Ulysses claimed his first Group One victory in a thrilling race against Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin, marking a significant milestone in trainer John Joseph Murphy’s career.
Auguste Rodin bounced back with a strong performance at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race that White Birch had to skip due to unsatisfactory blood results. Now, White Birch will undergo final preparations for the 10-furlong event at Sandown, with a decision expected after a final breeze and blood work on Wednesday.
If White Birch competes at Sandown, he will face tough competition including Epsom hero City Of Troy, as well as Ghostwriter, Dancing Gemini, and Jayarebe among other talented three-year-olds in the mix.