Dylan Browne McMonagle has been provided with a golden opportunity to record his first Classic success in the saddle with the news that John Murphy has snapped up the young riding sensation for White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) ahead of Sunday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
White Birch overcame a nightmare start to finish an excellent third in the Derby behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). He was ridden at Epsom by Colin Keane but, with the reigning Irish champion jockey suspended for Sunday's highlight, Murphy has turned to Browne McMonagle to ride the Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez-owned colt.
Speaking of his delight about the call up, Browne McMonagle told Racing TV, “I'm delighted to get the leg up, massive thanks to connections and Mr Murphy and all the gang down there. It is a great ride to pick up and I'm just blessed to get the leg over him.
“It's my first ride in the race, so hopefully we will have a bit of luck. He has got good form coming into it. I think the Curragh will suit him well.”
Browne McMonagle is based with Joseph O'Brien, for whom he partnered his first Group 1 victory aboard Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the National S. at the Curragh last season.
While acknowledging that his Irish Derby mount has a tendency to break slowly from the stalls, Browne McMonagle says that he is confident that, if the colt can get away with that anywhere, the Curragh is the place given the fairness of the track.
“He's a bit awkward away from the gates but I think if it happens again we won't be worrying because in the Curragh you have got plenty of time to get into it. There's a long straight there, so hopefully he has got a live chance and can run a big race.”
“He has won on heavy and he has form on good to firm ground, so we are going to have no worries that way. He's fairly versatile and I think the Curragh is going to suit him well. He's going to have plenty of time to get into it, it is a big galloping track.”
Browne McMonagle added, “He seems to be getting to the line well on his last couple of starts. Hopefully, he will be bang there.”
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