August, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Dubawi’s Yibir Takes The Voltigeur

Further evidence that Charlie Appleby holds all the aces in the 3-year-old middle-distance colt department was in plain view on Wednesday as Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had his turn on the Moulton Paddocks carrousel of success in York's G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. Backed into 6-1 before the off, the July 8 G3 Bahrain Trophy winner who was last seen finishing sixth in the G3 Gordon S. over this 12-furlong trip at Goodwood July 29 was dropped out in rear early by James Doyle as Ballydoyle's outsider The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set a searching pace. Making up the margin with ease to take command approaching the furlong pole, the chestnut stayed on to secure a 1 1/4-length success from the long-time leader, with Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) half a length behind in third. “When Yibir is like he was today and in the Bahrain Trophy, he is pretty straightforward,” Doyle said. “He drops his head and relaxes really well. We wanted to get the first part of the race right and then build away from there. It couldn't have worked out much better, really. He has won the Bahrain Trophy and stays very well, but he has got quite a potent kick.”

Yibir came back from a juvenile campaign which culminated in success in Newbury's prestigious Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions S. to run third behind Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in one of the strongest renewals of the G3 Sandown Classic Trial of recent times Apr. 23. Dropping his level when fourth in Chester's Listed Dee S. May 6 and when four-lengths second to the subsequent G1 Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Goodwood's Listed Cocked Hat S. May 21, the imposing homebred was gelded and showed instant benefit by dominating the 13-furlong Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket's July festival before flopping again in the Gordon.

With William Buick on the G2 Queen's Vase winner Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), James Doyle was able to extend his tally to three-for-three on Yibir as that stablemate and another notable contender in High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) failed to fire. With the G1 Grand Prix de Paris fourth The Mediterranean and the Juddmonte International runner-up Alenquer upholding the form of the current hot favourite for that Doncaster Classic in Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), it may be this edition diverts from its usual guise as a font of St Leger candidates. Yibir, who is unable to line up in the final Classic, came from the back in a first-time hood here along with the Gordon runner-up Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Youth Spirit and the race was ultimately run perfectly to suit.

Appleby is looking at a tilt at Belmont's GI Jockey Club Derby Sept. 18 with Yibir. “We've always held him in high regard, because he is such a powerful galloper in the mornings and I have to give a lot of credit to Shane Fetherstonhaugh, who rides him and all the team at home who have handled him,” he said. “The plan was always to leave the hood on today, bury him and get him racing the right way round. He is gelded, so we plan to have him around hopefully for the next few years and I thought it was important to get him racing back in the right manner. He is in the [Sept. 12] G1 Irish St Leger [at The Curragh], but one of our potential plans was to go to North America with him for the Jockey Club Derby. I think he would take a lot of experience there–he hasn't missed a beat this year and is a horse with some constitution. Hopefully, he can become one of those fun international campaigners. I'm disappointed with Kemari, as the drop in trip was not a concern beforehand and he didn't gallop out. We'll see if anything comes out in the wash.”

Yibir is the third black-type winner for the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial S. scorer Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) alongside his G1 Nassau S., G1 Prix de l'Opera and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac-winning full-sister Wild Illusion (GB) and the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. scorer Really Special (GB) (Shamardal). Also a half to the G3 Prix d'Aumale runner-up Ceratonia (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), he is a grandson of the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin winner Royal Dubai (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}) connected to the GI Beverly D. heroine Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). Also from the family of the G1 Dubai World Cup and G1 Juddmonte International hero Electrocutionist (Red Ransom), Rumh's 2-year-old colt Wild Crusade (GB) is a full-brother to the winner and Wild Illusion while her yearling colt is by Golden Horn (GB).

Wednesday, York, Britain
SKY BET GREAT VOLTIGEUR S.-G2, £150,000, York, 8-18, 3yo, c/g, 11f 188yT, 2:28.27, gd.
1–YIBIR (GB), 126, g, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Rumh (Ger) (SW-Eng), by Monsun (Ger)
2nd Dam: Royal Dubai (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
3rd Dam: Reem Dubai (Ire), by Nashwan
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 10-4-1-2, $280,580. *1/2 to Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), SW-Eng, SP-UAE, $108,180; Full to Wild Illusion (GB), G1SW-Eng, MG1SW-Fr, GISP-US, $1,590,217. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Mediterranean (Ire), 126, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Flashy Wings (GB), by Zafonic. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Lynch Bages Ltd & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £32,250.
3–Youth Spirit (Ire), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Rocana (GB), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). (€60,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; €100,000 RNA Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Ringfort Stud & Paul Hancock (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £16,140.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NO. Odds: 6.00, 16.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Sir Lucan (Ire), Scope (Ire), High Definition (Ire), Third Realm (GB), Kemari (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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New Horse Country Board President is VisitLEX’s Borden

Gathan Borden, the vice president of marketing for VisitLEX, Lexington's convention and visitor's bureau, has officially been named the new board president of Visit Horse Country. Borden succeeds founding board president Price H. Bell, Jr., who served in the position for the first seven years of the organization.

“Visit Horse Country has been a game-changer for the Lexington tourism product,” said Borden. “The outreach from the horse industry into the community has been powerful and has allowed us to truly share the Bluegrass in a way we never could before. I'm excited to be a part of helping Horse Country continue to develop fans of the industry and further cement Lexington as the Horse Capital of the World.”

Borden is a 14-year veteran of the tourism industry and has served on the Horse Country board since 2019. Borden, who was selected in 2021 as one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization” by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), is a sought-after speaker on marketing topics and trends.

Bell, Jr. worked alongside his father, Headley, and with Brutus Clay and Dr. Luke Fallon to form the industry initiative that would grow into Visit Horse Country. All have been on the board with Dr. Fallon recently rejoining.

“No doubt the organization would not be what it is, or at all, without Price's generous dedication of time, contribution of boundless energy, and sheer will,” said Executive Director Anne Sabatino Hardy. “He's been a mentor and a tremendous leader. His fingerprints are all over the initiative, which has opened the gates to completely new fans over these last years.”

In handing over the reins, Bell, Jr. said, “As we move into the next era of Visit Horse Country, Gathan's marketing prowess, vision, and strategic approach is the perfect fit for this position. He's an expert in the tourism field and, as we seek to attract new fans to our sport, he lends invaluable perspective on how to leverage our experiences to the leisure traveler.”

In additional Horse Country news, Heather Higgins, VP of corporate partnerships for Breeders' Cup, and Harold Palmer, president of The Jockey Club Technology Services, were unanimously elected as board members.

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Three-For-Three In 2021, Snowfall Goes For Breeders’ Cup Berth In Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor's dual Group 1-winning filly Snowfall (JPN) is set to take on six rivals at York in the 1 ½-mile Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) on Thursday. The Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner will receive an automatic berth into the US$2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Snowfall, a 3-year-old daughter of Deep Impact (JPN) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Best In The World (IRE), is three for three this season. The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly returns to York where she began her 2021 campaign with a win in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3), before cruising to a record-breaking 16-length victory in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) at Epsom in June. Snowfall followed up on that success with another wide-margin victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (G1) at The Curragh on July 17. She is joined by stablemates Divinely (IRE), last seen finishing fourth in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2), and La Joconde (IRE), the outsider of the field.

Trained by David Menuisier and ridden by William Buick, Wonderful Tonight (FR) steps up to Group 1 competition for the first time this season. The 4-year-old daughter of Le Havre (IRE) won the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (G1) at ParisLongchamp and QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) last October. This year, Wonderful Tonight captured the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June before winning the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2) at Goodwood on July 31.

Menuisier had alternative options in France for his star filly but has decided to head to York.

He said: “Obviously I'm hoping there's a bit more rain, but if the ground is good we'll give it a go.

“I've been in Deauville for four or five days and I've found that the ground is pretty chopped up. The weather forecast is not that positive for downpours and I'm sure the ground will be better in York than it is in Deauville.”

Connections of Albaflora (GB) will be hoping their 4-year-old filly can improve against Wonderful Tonight. Owned and bred by Miss Kirsten Rausing, Albaflora finished fifth in the Hardwicke Stakes and third in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes. It would be a first win in this race for trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan, if successful.

John Gosden has won this race five times. Now training in partnership with his son Thady, the duo saddle Loving Dream (GB), with jockey Frankie Dettori set to ride. The 3-year-old daughter of Gleneagles (IRE) was last seen when winning the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot on June 17.

Finishing three-quarters of a length behind Loving Dream that day at Ascot was Shadwell Estate Company's Eshaada (GB). The lightly raced Group 2 placed 3-year-old filly, trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Jim Crowley, completes the field.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner to start in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 3/8 Miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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James Graham Voted Jockey Of The Week After Mr. D. Stakes Upset

Jockey James Graham made a successful return to Arlington Park last Saturday, winning the Grade 1 Mr. D. Stakes to earn Jockey of the Week honors for Aug. 9 through Aug. 15. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Arlington Park had been home to Graham, a native of Dublin, Ireland, for more than a dozen years before moving his tack to Kentucky tracks and Fair Grounds in Louisiana. He returned on Saturday for the first time since 2018 to ride on what may be Arlington Park's last premier day of racing. Trainer Hugh Robertson, a mainstay at Arlington Park for decades and very familiar with Graham, entered long-shot Two Emmys in the G1 Mr. D. Stakes and gave simple instructions to Graham, “Go to the front and slow it down.”

Graham followed those instructions faithfully.

Breaking from post position four in the field of eight, Graham and Two Emmys went straight to the front and controlled the pace around the first turn and down the backstretch with his half-mile in a pedestrian 52.43 seconds. In upper stretch, Graham asked Two Emmys for his best and held on when confronted late by the favorite Domestic Spending and Flavien Prat to win by a neck in 2:03.34 for the mile and one-quarter turf race.

“When I didn't see anyone behind me at the quarter pole, I knew they would really have to run to catch me,” said Graham. “He's shown he can do it before and he did it today.”

With the win, Graham posted his fifth career G1 win.

Weekly statistics for Graham were 15-2-2-2 for an in-the-money rate of 40 percent and total purses of $407,668.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Alex Birzer with an in-the-money rate of 55 percent, Tyler Gaffalione who won the G1 Fourstardave, Antonio Gallardo with nine wins for the week, and John Velazquez who won two stakes races at Saratoga.

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