By Tom Frary
In rude health for Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh, Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}–Diagnostic {GB}, by Dutch Art {GB}) readily put old rival Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the shade for a career-best success. Behind that Ballydoyle supremo in the Derby, the John Murphy-trained grey had returned this term to garner the track's G3 Alleged S. and G2 Mooresbridge S. and the backers were suitably respectful as his odds hardened to 15-8 before the off.
Cruising under a confident Colin Keane with Auguste Rodin just ahead as they raced in mid-division, he was sent alongside that 11-10 favourite with a furlong to go and romped away from there for a comprehensive three-length success as Auguste Rodin ran eight lengths clear of Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}) in third. “That couldn't have gone better,” Keane said after his masterclass. “We got behind the two we wanted to be behind–Ryan brought us as far as we could, then we just quickened up well. He cantered into it. He has plenty of pace, but would have no bother going a bit further. He has matured massively from three to four.”
White Birch's ability is nothing new to anybody who witnessed what he achieved from a slow start at Epsom last June and while his season went wayward after that, his path to this test via the proven stepping stones this Spring had him honed to a peak. There may be a wholly different version of Auguste Rodin lying in wait in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., but this was his day in the sun and the trainer John Murphy's son and assistant George was basking in the moment. “We've been waiting a long time for one as good as him,” he said. “He's a bit more chilled out this year and has progressed from race to race.”
“People thought last year when he was a bit slow away from the gates a few times and he was coming from off the pace that he was more of a stayer, but he's getting to show what he can do now. He's got form on very quick ground as well, so he seems to handle them all. Colin was very good on him, as he always is, and gave him a super ride. He's a master of his trade.”
Aidan O'Brien was only seeing positives from Auguste Rodin, who ironically was running his first creditable race in defeat. “I thought he ran very well. The ground went against him and he got into a little bit of a speed wobble coming down off the hill and it took a little bit of time to get back in his rhythm,” he explained. “Obviously John's horse picked him up well, but we were very happy. He still went out on his shield today and the next time we'll be ready. We were thinking of the Prince of Wales's next, but we'll see what the lads want to do.”
Wow!
finally fells old nemesis Auguste Rodin in the @Tattersalls1766 Gold Cup @curraghrace
ℎ a performance pic.twitter.com/NG3b510rmT
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 26, 2024
Pedigree Notes
White Birch, who also captured the G3 Ballysax S. and was second in the G2 Dante S. at three, becomes the first top-level winner for Ulysses here. His dam Diagnostic is out of Holistic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), a full-sister to the Listed Kilvington Fillies' S. winner and stakes producer Prescription (GB) and a half to four other stakes winners headed by the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. winner Clinical (GB) (Motivator {GB}) and the G3 Horris Hill S. scorer Cupid's Glory (GB) (Pursuit Of Love {GB}). Also connected to the G2 King's Stand S.-winning broodmare supreme Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and the late sire Verglas (Ire), Diagnostic's yearling is a full-brother to White Birch.
Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP-G1, €500,000, Curragh, 5-26, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT, 2:11.61, gd/yl.
1–WHITE BIRCH (GB), 131, c, 4, by Ulysses (Ire)
1st Dam: Diagnostic (GB), by Dutch Art (GB)
2nd Dam: Holistic (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Doctor's Glory, by Elmaamul
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (75,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 48,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Mrs C C Regalado-Gonzalez; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John Murphy; J-Colin Keane. €300,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 10-5-1-1, $742,869. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Auguste Rodin (Ire), 131, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Rhododendron (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €100,000.
3–Crypto Force (GB), 131, c, 4, Time Test (GB)–Luna Mare (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (32,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 65,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT; 160,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRG; £900,000 2yo '22 GOFLON). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-W A Tinkler (GB); T-Adrian Murray. €50,000.
Margins: 3, 8, 1HF. Odds: 1.88, 1.10, 4.00.
Also Ran: Elegant Man, Lumiere Rock (Ire), Hans Andersen (GB), Lord Massusus (Ire), Mashhoor (GB).
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