Godolphin's Yibir displayed a devastating turn of foot with a last-to-first run to capture Saturday's $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational, garnering a 97 Beyer Speed Figure in his North American debut in the final leg of NYRA's Turf Triple series at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi took to the rear of the seven-horse field in the 12-furlong Widener turf test for sophomores, before fanning several paths wide around the far turn and catapulted himself to the front in upper stretch, drawing away to a 2 ½-length score under jockey Jamie Spencer.
Traveling assistant Chris Connett said Yibir will remain at Belmont Park through the next two days before shipping back to Appleby's training yard at Newmarket in England on Wednesday.
“He pulled up well. We were very happy with him,” Connett said Sunday morning. “He takes his races pretty well. He puts a lot into his runs, so he usually comes out nicely.”
Yibir entered the Jockey Club Derby off a triumph in the Group 2 Voltigeur on August 18 going 12 furlongs at York Racecourse, where he defeated next-out Group 1-placed The Mediterranean by 1 ¼ lengths over good ground. He also captured the 1 5/8-mile Group 3 Bahrain Trophy on July 8 at Newmarket in his first grouped stakes score.
“The form was very solid from his previous race,” Connett said. “As long as he handled the travel over here, we were very confident he would run a big race.
“He's a true mile and a half horse and can potentially go further in trip as well,” Connett continued. “As was seen yesterday, he has a nice turn of foot also. He'll go back out tomorrow morning for a little trot around and hopefully we'll see him in remain good spirits.”
Yibir, who is out of the German-bred Monsun mare Rumh, is a full-brother to multiple Group 1-winning filly Wild Illusion, who finished second to Sistercharlie in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2018.
“I was fortunate enough to travel for some of her races as well,” Connett said. “She was a lovely filly. They both had their own characters.”
In capturing the Jockey Club Derby, Yibir earned a “Win And You're In” berth to the $4 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. Connett said the horse will be evaluated upon returning to his overseas base before any definite plans are made.
“They'll have discussions about that,” Connett said. “We'll get him back to the U.K. He'll fly home Wednesday and the team will make plans from there.”
Connett also saddled Godolphin filly Creative Flair to a fourth-place finish in the $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational on Saturday for the same connections.
Yibir's victory provided another meaningful stakes triumph on the NYRA circuit for Appleby and Godolphin, who ran one-two in the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game on June 5 at Belmont Park and Grade 1 Diana on July 17 at Saratoga with Althiqa and Summer Romance. The good run of form for Appleby in North America was also on display when Walton Street captured Saturday's Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine Racetrack.
“It was a huge day for the team,” Connett said. “Charlie's horses have been in good form. We've been very fortunate to have such good horses that can handle the ship out here and win.”
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