Los Angeles edges out White Birch in Curragh thriller
Los Angeles took over from the pacesetting Alleged Stakes winner Galen approaching the final furlong and while White Birch threw down his challenge shortly after, he could never quite get on terms, with a neck separating the top-class duo at the line.
Belting finish!
Irish Derby winner and Arc third Los Angeles gets the better of gallant and returning Group 1 winner White Birch in a thrilling @coolmorestud @IrishEBF_ Mooresbridge Stakes at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/Q4yeUOZvQ5
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2025
O'Brien said: 'We're delighted with him. He's a lovely, big, honest horse. When he gets there he doesn't do much but that's always been him.
'The plan would be to come back here for the Tattersalls (Gold Cup) and if that went well then he would go to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Then we could have a look at the King George and then he could have a break and then we'd give him a prep for the Arc.
'You can see that he's still as big as a bull – he's a big, powerful horse.
'We don't want to go too long (far) until we have to, we'll keep him sharp for when he goes up to a mile and a half. If he goes to the King George he'll want to be sharp and then he'd have a prep for the Arc, maybe back here in the Royal Whip.'
Los Angeles did show some reluctance to go through the rails on his way to start, with O'Brien adding: 'He's a big, four-year-old colt and he knows how big he is. He'd be very happy to walk over you rather than walk around you! That's the way he is.
'He hates hanging around but he doesn't even break sweat. He's like a big child that didn't get manners put on him when he was young and then when he got too big, it was too late!'
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