Browne McMonagle called up to ride White Birch in Irish Derby Dylan Browne McMonagle is set to ride the talented colt White Birch in Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. Colin Keane, who recently received a seven-day ban at Leopardstown, was aboard the John Murphy-trained star when finishing third in the Derby at Epsom behind Auguste Rodin and will miss Saturday's highlight. Browne McMonagle is excited to be offered his first ride in the Irish Derby on the John Murphy-trained colt who is currently around 5/1 to land the prize. The jockey 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. "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. "He seems to be getting to the line well on his last couple of starts. Hopefully, he will be bang there."
