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Browne McMonagle Snapped Up To Ride White Birch In Irish Derby

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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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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“It’s All To Play For” – Murphy Team Place Faith In Derby Hope White Birch

John Murphy has described himself as very lucky to have come across Betfred Derby contender White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) and says that his 14-1 chance for Epsom glory is more than worthy of his shot in the line-up for the eagerly-awaited Classic.

White Birch identified himself as a bona fide Derby prospect when streaking to G3 Ballysax S. glory at Leopardstown earlier in the season. From there, he went on to overcome a tardy start to finish an excellent second behind The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the G2 Dante S. at York, enhancing his Derby credentials in the process.

Murphy, who turned 62 last week, said, “It's hugely exciting. It gives you a pep in the step and we're really looking forward to it.”

Murphy is best known for sending out Newmill (Ire) (Norwich {GB}) to win the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006. That was the Upton-based trainer's first ever top-level triumph and he followed it up with another when Newmill went on to win at the Punchestown Festival later that spring.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the days of Newmill, with Murphy almost entirely concentrating on the Flat now, the fruits of which will be in full bloom on Saturday.

“We're just very lucky,” he added. “We're very thankful to everyone who has made it possible, especially all of our staff, who have done a great job with White Birch.”

However, it's not entirely true to say that White Birch will be Murphy's first Derby runner. The man who describes himself as a producing trainer, a nod to the fact he gets as much of a kick out of selling horses as he does winning with them, pinhooked Papal Bull (GB) many moons ago.

Papal Bull went on to finish a luckless 10th in the Derby for Sir Michael Stoute the same year Newmill won the Champion Chase and is just another horse that Murphy enhanced the value of, having bought him as a foal for just 20,000gns and selling him on to Demi O'Byrne as a yearling for 100,000gns.

But it is Murphy's son George, along with the help of Tally-Ho Stud's Roger O'Callaghan, who deserve all the credit for finding White Birch. O'Callaghan highly recommended the grey to the 29-year-old and a private deal was brokered.

Recalling the story, Murphy said, “It was George who saw White Birch first. The horse had been recommended by Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud and you have to listen when Roger speaks. When George went to see him, he loved him. He's a beautiful-looking horse. He had everything.”

There may have been a certain amount of luck in White Birch finding his way to the Murphys but even more when it came to hanging on to the horse. The phone calls were endless when White Birch won his maiden by over six lengths at Dundalk last November but it was long-standing owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, who has had Big Time (Ire) (Kheleyf) and Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) here and won the Oaks with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who came up trumps.

Murphy said, “He always did it easy and always had a lovely brain. He did it very well at Dundalk and there was a lot of interest in him after that.

“The owners [Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez] expressed an interest and we were delighted that they bought him and were kind enough to leave him in training with us. They are long-standing owners of ours and love their racing. They are here for a good one now anyway.”

A good one might be putting it mildly. White Birch is well found in the Derby market and, with Shane Foley committed to riding Jessica Harrington's Sprewell (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Colin Keane has been booked to ride.

Murphy said, “We're delighted to have Colin on board. We have had a good relationship with Colin over the last number of years and White Birch definitely won't be lacking in the saddle anyway.”

And what would success mean to this father-and-son operation who have been without a flagship Group 1 horse for the best part of a decade?

“It's huge,” comes the response. “We might seem calm but, inside, a lot is going on. It's all to play for in the Derby. He probably has as much entitlement to go there as anything else in the race. Everything is good with the horse and we are happy.”

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White Birch ‘In Super Form’ Ahead Of Derby Trial Bid

White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) has been confirmed for the G3 Derby Trial S. at Leopardstown on Sunday.

A winner last out of the G3 Ballysax S., the colt would follow in the wake of Battle Of Marengo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as colts to have won both of the Irish Derby Trials in the past 10 years. If successful, the G1 Betfred Derby could be on the horizon at Epsom on June 3.

“He came out of the race at Leopardstown really well and we couldn't be happier with how things are going,” said George Murphy, assistant to his father John. “His work has been great and he is in super form.

“The plan is to go back to Leopardstown for what was the Derrinstown–it's just the Derby Trial now–and after that we can make a decision over whether we go to the Derby or not.

“I have no doubt the trial will be a difficult race, but he's in great form and we're looking forward to it.”

The grey is one of 14 colts entered in the race, which sports a six-pronged Aidan O'Brien entry.

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