Also at the Curragh, White Birch reversed his Epsom Derby defeat by Auguste Rodin last season by impressively clinching a first Group One victory in winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin, who also won Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2023, went in as 11-10 favourite despite a disappointing season opener in Dubai in late March.
The dual Derby winner, ridden by Ryan Moore, moved into the lead with two furlongs remaining, but White Birch, with Colin Keane aboard, drew level at the final-furlong marker before powering away to secure a dominant three-length win.
White Birch was five lengths adrift of Auguste Rodin when taking third place at Epsom last year.
“He cantered into it,” said Keane after Sunday’s victory. “He has plenty of pace but would have no bother going a bit further. He has matured massively from three to four [years].
The grey, who is trained by John Joseph Murphy, could now be aimed at the Prince of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot or the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
