Irish Derby | Horse Racing Free Tips

Murphy Eyes Irish Derby For White Birch After Epsom Third

John Murphy has reported White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) to have come out of his third-placed Derby effort in good order and says that he is looking forward to the rematch with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh insisting “there's no hiding now”.

Despite breaking slowly at Epsom on Saturday, White Birch made tremendous late ground to finish a good third under Colin Keane, leaving connections optimistic about what the future may hold for the grey.

“It was a relief. We were absolutely delighted. He came home safe and sound, not a bother on him,” said Murphy on Tuesday.

“He is on the cards for the Irish Derby–that's Plan A. He's come back 100 per cent and all is good. He's progressive. Every run seems to be better, so we hope that curve continues. He's in very good shape.

“The first plan is the Irish Derby and he will have loads of other entries in the meantime, but we will just play it by the horse. We have to take on the winner now. There's no hiding now-you have got to do it. Hopefully one of these good races will go his way. You never know.”

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Dubai Mile Likely for Grand Prix de Paris

Ahmad Al Shaih's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion) will be pointed to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris with the possibility of a run at Royal Ascot in between, trainer Charlie Johnson said. The colt finished ninth in the G1 Betfred Derby on Saturday and was fifth in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in his three-year-old debut last month.

Dubai Mile holds engagements in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Jun 23 and also the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh on July 2. However, Johnston is keen to head to ParisLongchamp for the Grand Prix de Paris, over the same 1 1/2-mile trip on July 14.

“We will see about Ascot and I've always thought the Grand Prix de Paris was a race that would really suit him,” Johnston said. “I'd like to have that as part of his plans. Whether or not he goes to Ascot in between, we'll see.

“If he did everything, it would be three weeks and three weeks–it is six weeks until Paris.”

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“We Love Winning Races” – Joseph O’Brien Records 1,000th Winner

One thousand winners and counting. Joseph O'Brien passed yet another important milestone in his training career on Saturday when Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) became his 1,000th winner in the opening seven-furlong maiden at the Curragh.

And what style it was achieved in. Al Riffa, who emerged as a major eye-catcher when staying on for second in a Curragh maiden last month, showed the benefit of that initial outing to confirm himself a potential top-notcher in the making.

It was just over six years ago when O'Brien enjoyed a dream start to his career as a trainer when, on June 6, 2016, he sent out four winners on his first day with runners.

While O'Brien trained Ivanovich Gorbatov (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) to win the 2016 Triumph Hurdle in all but name, he didn't have to wait long to enjoy official top-flight success when Intricately (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) stormed to G1 Moyglare S. glory under his brother Donnacha later that summer.

But it was another winner partnered by Donnacha, the Irish Derby success of Latrobe (Ire) in 2018, that was put forward as the highlight of the first 1,000 winners by the trainer, who credited the team at Owning Hill when passing the important milestone.

O'Brien said, “It's a testimony to the team of people we have assembled on the hill. We have an amazing team of staff and they work hard every day. As well as that, we have been supported by brilliant owners all over the world and we're very appreciative of that. We're looking forward to the rest of the season now.”

He added, “I think Latrobe winning the Irish Derby with Donnacha riding him was the highlight [of the first 1,000 winners]. Obviously we have been lucky to win a lot of big races all over the world but, for Donnacha to ride a Classic winner for us, it will be very hard to ever top that.”

Featuring among O'Brien's 1,000 winners are the Melbourne Cups achieved with Twilight Payment (Ire) and Rekindling (GB), a Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf victory with Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), St Leger glory with Galileo Chrome (Ire) and multiple Group 1 wins with State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), including the Saratoga Derby, the Cox Plate and more recently the Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot.

O'Brien, whose father Aidan hit the 1,000-winner mark within five years of taking out his licence, has also trained a number of top-level winners over jumps, highlighted by Edwulf (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}) in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and Cheltenham festival scorers Band Of Outlaws (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), Early Doors (Fr) (Soldier Of Fortune {Ire}) and Banbridge (Ire) (Doyen {Ire}).

Asked what drives him, the 29-year-old said, “We love winning races and that's what it comes down to. I have grown up in that environment and, when we win races, it puts everyone in good form in the yard and at home. That's what we get up every day to do – to win as many races as we can. That's the life we live and we put everything into it.”

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Derby Winner Harzand Sold To Kilbarry Lodge Stud

The Aga Khan's homebred dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Hazariya {Ire}, by Xaar {GB}) has been sold to continue his stallion career in Ireland at Kilbarry Lodge Stud.

Trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Pat Smullen, Harzand overcame a last-minute foot injury scare to win the 2016 G1 Derby to give his owner-breeder a fifth triumph in the Epsom Classic following Shergar (GB), Shahrastani, Kahyasi (Ire) and Sinndar (Ire). He then followed up with victory in the G1 Irish Derby.

Among Harzand's Flat runners this season is the 3-year-old Mostly Cloudy (Ire), whose five consecutive wins since mid-May have shone a light on the stable of his young trainer Gemma Tutty, who now has group-race targets in mind for the progressive stayer. From his first crop, members of which are now four, Harzand has been represented by the David Pipe-trained treble hurdle winner Kolisi (Ire).

“Harzand has sired some useful individuals from his initial crops conceived at Gilltown Stud, the oldest of which are now 4-year-olds,” said Pat Downes, Aga Khan Studs Director in Ireland.

“However in recent years he has predominately been supported by the National Hunt division and now moves to Con O'Keeffe's Kilbarry Lodge Stud where I am sure he will continue do very well, given he has stock yet to race out of some talented National Hunt race mares and broodmares.”

Harzand will stand alongside fellow Group 1 winner Success Days (Ire), Diamond Boy (Fr), and the Juddmonte-bred Pillar Coral (GB), a Sadler's Wells half-brother to the late Martaline (GB), at his new home in Co Waterford.

Con O'Keeffe, owner of Kilbarry Lodge Stud, said, “We are thrilled to acquire a horse of the calibre of Harzand for Kilbarry Lodge Stud. A dual Derby winner by the sensational Sea The Stars, he has the physical attributes, race record and pedigree that Irish breeders want in a National Hunt stallion. I have been in touch with Pat Downes over the past few years regarding purchasing this horse and my interest in the horse was strengthened on seeing the quality of his foals at the last two years of National Hunt foal sales. A tough, talented racehorse who achieved a Timeform rating of 126 when winning the Epsom Derby, in conjunction with great bone and presence, Harzand has all the qualities to be an exceptional National Hunt stallion.”

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