Yibir (horse)

Last updated
Yibir
Owner Godolphin.svg
Racing silks of Godolphin
Sire Dubawi
Grandsire Dubai Millennium
DamRumh
Damsire Monsun
Sex Gelding
Foaled14 April 2018 [1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
Colour Chestnut
Breeder Godolphin
OwnerGodolphin
Trainer Charlie Appleby
Record17: 7-3-3
Earnings£3,143,568
Major wins
Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes (2020)
Bahrain Trophy (2021)
Great Voltigeur Stakes (2021)
Jockey Club Derby (2021)
Breeders' Cup Turf (2021)
Princess of Wales's Stakes (2022)
Esher Stakes (2023)
Awards
American Champion Male Turf Horse (2021)
Last updated on 21 June 2023

Yibir (foaled 14 April 2018) is a Champion British Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed considerable promise as a juvenile in 2020 when he won two of his four races including the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes. He was beaten in his first three starts as a three-year-old and was subsequently gelded. On his return to the track he improved to become a top-class turf performer, winning the Bahrain Trophy, Great Voltigeur Stakes, Jockey Club Derby and Breeders' Cup Turf. Yibir was awarded the Eclipse Award for US Champion Male Turf Horse.

Contents

Background

Yibir is a chestnut horse with a white sock on his left foreleg who was bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation. He was sent into training with Charlie Appleby, whose stable is based at Newmarket, Suffolk, but typically relocates to Dubai in winter.

He was sired by Dubawi a top-class son of Dubai Millennium, whose wins included the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Prix Jacques Le Marois. At stud, Dubawi has been a highly-successful breeding stallion, siring major winners such as Monterosso, Al Kazeem, Makfi, Lucky Nine and Night of Thunder. [2] Yibir's dam Rumh was a German mare who won four races in England including the Listed Ballymacoll Stud Stakes. [3] She was a descendant of the Irish mare Le Melody (foaled 1971), the dam of Ardross and the female-line ancestor of Electrocutionist and Scorpion. [4] Rumh had previously produce Yibir's full-sister Wild Illusion.

Racing career

2020: two-year-old season

Yibir began his racing career in a novice race (for horses with no more than two previous wins) over seven furlongs on soft ground at Newmarket Racecourse on 18 June and started the 11/8 favourite. He hung badly to the right for most of the race and came home third of the four runners behind his less fancied stablemate Master of the Seas, beaten more than ten lengths by the winner. On 10 July at the same track he led for most of the way in a seven furlong maiden race but was outpaced in the closing stages and finished fifth behind Youth Spirit. James Doyle took the ride when the colt started 13/8 favourite for a maiden over the same distance at Sandown Park and recorded his first success as he led from the start and kept on "gamely" to win by three quarters of a length from King Vega. [5] On his final run of the year Yibir was ridden by William Buick when he started 5/2 second favourite behind the John Gosden-trained Megallan in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes over one mile at Newbury Racecourse on 18 September. He took the lead soon after the start and "kept on strongly" to beat Megallan by a length. [6] After the race Buick said "He is a big horse, but he has done nothing wrong and is learning on the job. Today he has come forward again. It was nice ground here today and stepping up to a mile has suited him. He is the type of horse, looking at him, that whatever he does this year, he will do better next year". [7]

2021: three-year-old season

Spring

For his first appearance as a three-year-old, Yibir was stepped up in class and distance for the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial over ten furlongs at Sandown on 23 April when he started the 4/1 second choice in a ten-runner field. He led for most of the way before being overtaken by Alenquer in the straight and lost second place to his stablemate Adayar in the final strides. [8] In the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester Racecourse two weeks later he started favourite but came home fourth behind El Drama after racing "awkwardly" and hanging to the left in the last quarter mile. [9] On 21 May in the Cocked Hat Stakes over eleven furlongs at Goodwood Racecourse he raced in second place for most of the race but hung to the right in the last quarter mile and was beaten four lengths by Lone Eagle. Shortly after the race Yibir was gelded.

Summer

Yibir returned to the track at Newmarket on 8 July when he started 6/4 favourite for the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy over thirteen furlongs. Ridden by Doyle he was restrained towards the rear of the five-runner field before moving up to take the lead approaching the final furlong and won "readily" by two and a half lengths. [10] Charlie Appleby commented "This horse, as we have learnt this spring, is a great traveller. We have always just felt he's looked a bit more awkward in the last furlong of his races. He has been gelded since his last start. Would I say it has changed his homework? No because he has always been a good work horse. We were confident coming into today if we could ride him cold I felt he had the class that he could take himself there comfortably enough that we didn’t have to ask too much at the business end and that is what he showed today." [11]

The gelding's next start was the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood later that month when he fought against Buick's attempts to restrain him and after taking the lead five furlongs out faded badly in the closing stages and came home sixth behind Ottoman Emperor, beaten more than eight lengths by the winner. On 18 August Yibir was ridden by Doyle when he started at odds of 6/1 for the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes over one and a half miles at York Racecourse. High Definition (the beaten favourite in the Irish Derby) headed the betting, while the other six contenders included Scope, Youth Spirit, Kemari (Queen's Vase) and Third Realm (Lingfield Derby Trial). Racing in a hood, Yibir settled towards the rear as The Mediterranean set the pace, before moving up to take the lead approaching the final furlong and won by one and a quarter lengths. [12] After the race Appleby said "We've had our quirks with him – he's been gelded and we've had the hood on and the hood off... He's got a lot of potential and it's just about trying to get him on his right day. His constitution is a credit to himself as he's had plenty of racing and doesn't miss out in the mornings... he'll up for a bit of travelling and we'll have a bit of fun with him". [13]

Autumn

For his next race Yibir was sent to the United States to contest the $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes over one and a half miles on firm ground at Belmont Park on 18 September. Ridden by Jamie Spencer he went off the 2.65/1 second choice in the betting behind the Belmont Derby winner Bolshoi Ballet in a seven-runner field which also included Soldier Rising (runner-up in the Saratoga Derby) and Tokyo Gold (Derby Italiano). After starting slowly and settling at the rear of the field he moved into contention on the outside on the final turn. He took the lead inside the last quarter mile and despite hanging to the left in the closing stages he kept on well to win by two and a half lengths from Soldier Rising. [14] Jamie Spencer said "I was confident going in. He ran a good race and fared well in the stretch. I'm happy with his performance today. He's a nice horse and it was a good trip." [15]

Yibir was sent back to the United States to contest the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar Racetrack on 6 November, when he was matched against older horses for the first time and started at odds of 8.5/1 in a fourteen-runner field. Tarnawa started favourite while the other contenders included Teona, Japan, Broome, Walton Street (Canadian International Stakes), Gufo (Sword Dancer Stakes), Tribhuvan (United Nations Stakes), Rockemperor (Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes), Sisfahan (Deutsches Derby) and Channel Maker (Man o' War Stakes). Yibir pulled hard against Buick's to restrain him in the early stages as Tribhuvan set the pace from Acclimate, but began to make progress and was switched to the outside entering the final turn. Broome went to the front in the straight and opened up a clear lead but Yibir produced a strong late run to gain the advantage in the final strides and won by half a length. [16] William Buick commented "Halfway around the home turn I could see Broome had gone, but I was always confident of picking him up. [Yibir has] an amazing turn of foot and I couldn't pull him up after the line. Amazing horse, and I think he did something today that not many horses can do, so all credit to him." [17]

2022: four-year-old season

Yibir travelled to the United Arab Emirates in March and ran in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 2,400 metres at Meydan Racecourse starting as the 7/2 favourite and finishing a close second, beaten a neck by Shahryar after rallying from the rear of the field. [18]

Returning to England, on 29 April Yibir ran in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over the mile-and-one-half distance where started as the hot 1/4 odds-on favourite in a field of five runners and was beaten by 1+3⁄4 lengths by the Irish-bred Living Legend. [19]

Connections sent Yibir to the United States in mid May where he faced four other runners in the Grade I Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park. Starting as the 1/2 odds-on favourite Yibir broke from the gate poorly was a good five lengths last leaving the straight for the first time. Although Yibir made a strong run rounding the last turn and battled on well to the finishing line he finished third to 18/1 longshot Highland Chief. Charlie Appleby said after the race, "The turf was a little bit on the slower side of where he likes to hear his feet rattle. It blunted his acceleration slightly, but you can't take anything away from the winner." [20]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Yibir (GB), chestnut gelding, 2018 [1]
Sire
Dubawi (IRE)
2002		 Dubai Millennium (GB)
1996		 Seeking the Gold (USA) Mr. Prospector
Con Game
Colorado Dancer (IRE) Shareef Dancer (USA)
Fall Aspen (USA)
Zomaradah (GB)
1995		Deploy Shirley Heights
Slightly Dangerous (USA)
Jawaher (IRE) Dancing Brave (USA)
High Tern
Dam
Rumh (GER)
2008		 Monsun (GER)
1990		 Königsstuhl Dschingis Khan
Koningskronung
Mosella Surumu
Monasia
Royal Dubai (GER)
2000		 Dashing Blade (GB) Elegant Air
Sharp Castan
Reem Dubai (IRE) Nashwan (USA)
Gesedeh (Family 23) [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Lantern (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Sky Lantern is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the leading European two-year-old fillies of 2012 when she won the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland. In May 2013 she won the 200th running of the 1000 Guineas. She followed up with a win in the Coronation Stakes, and recovered from a controversial defeat by Elusive Kate in the Falmouth Stakes to record a fourth Group One win in the Sun Chariot Stakes. She remained in training as a four-year-old but failed to reproduce her best form, finishing unplaced in three races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Kazeem</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Al Kazeem is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed promise as a two-year-old in 2010 and became a consistently successful performer in the following year. In 2012 he won the Jockey Club Stakes on his seasonal debut but was then sidelined by a pelvic fracture for almost a year. In 2013 he won the Gordon Richards Stakes on his comeback and then took three consecutive Group One races: the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince of Wales's Stakes and Eclipse Stakes. After proving subfertile in his first season at Sandringham Stud he returned to racing in 2014 to win the Winter Hill Stakes and finish a close second in the Champion Stakes. He began his 2015 season by winning the Prix d'Harcourt and went on to win a second Tattersalls Gold Cup before being retired for the second time in August after picking up a minor injury.He stands at Oakgrove Stud in South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telescope (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Telescope is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won one minor race as a two-year-old but was highly regarded by his connections and was considered a leading contender for the following year's Epsom Derby. His three-year-old campaign was severely restricted by injury, but he won two of his three races, including the Great Voltigeur Stakes. At four, he was beaten in his first two races before recording an impressive seven-length win in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. He added a win in the Aston Park Stakes in 2015 before his racing career was ended by injury. Apart from his wins, he finished second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, third in the International Stakes and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Sequence (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Main Sequence is a Kentucky-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. In his first three seasons he raced in Europe winning his first four races including the Lingfield Derby Trial before losing his unbeaten record when finishing second in the 2012 Epsom Derby. After failing to win in 2013 he was gelded and sent to race in the United States. In 2014 he recorded Grade I victories in his first four American starts, winning the United Nations Stakes, Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf. He extended his winning run in his first start of 2015 but was retired from racing after suffering a serious tendon injury in his third race of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Horn (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Golden Horn is a champion British Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2015 European Horse of the Year after winning the Epsom Derby, Arc de Triomphe, Irish Champion Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, and coming second in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Hobbs (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Jack Hobbs is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning his only race as a juvenile, he established himself as a potentially top-class colt with a twelve length win in a race at Sandown on his three-year-old debut. He finished second to his stable companion Golden Horn in both the Dante Stakes and The Derby before winning the Irish Derby by five lengths. He ran twice more in 2015, winning the September Stakes before being beaten when favourite for the Champion Stakes. His 2016 season was badly disrupted by injury and he ran only twice, failing to complete his first start and being beaten on his eventual reappearance. However, he rebounded in 2017 by winning the Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse on Dubai World Cup Night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postponed</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Postponed is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won one minor race as a two-year-old before establishing himself as a useful middle-distance performer in the following year with wins in the Glasgow Stakes and the Great Voltigeur Stakes. In July 2015, he recorded his biggest victory in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse and followed up with a success in the Prix Foy. After a change of trainer he returned in 2016 to win the Dubai City of Gold, Dubai Sheema Classic, Coronation Cup and International Stakes. He was retired from racing in May 2017 having won 9 of his 20 races and earned nearly £5,000,000 in win and place prize money.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawkbill</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Hawkbill is an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. During his racing career he competed in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Canada and Dubai. In 2015 he was beaten on his first two appearances but then recorded three consecutive wins in minor races. As a three-year-old in 2016 he made rapid progress, taking his winning run to six with victories in the Newmarket Stakes, Tercentenary Stakes and Eclipse Stakes. As a four-year-old he won the Aston Park Stakes and Princess of Wales's Stakes and was placed in the Coronation Cup, Grosser Preis von Berlin and Northern Dancer Turf Stakes. He began his fourth season by winning the Dubai City of Gold and followed up by recording his most valuable success when he took the Dubai Sheema Classic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barney Roy</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Barney Roy is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning his only race as a juvenile in 2016 he emerged as a top-class performer in the following year. He won the Greenham Stakes and finished second in the 2000 Guineas before recording his biggest victory in the St James's Palace Stakes. He went on to finish second in the Eclipse Stakes and third in the International Stakes before being retired to stud at the end of the year. His spell at stud proved unsuccessful and he returned to racing in the 2019 season. As a gelding in 2020 he recorded victories in the Al Rashidiya, Jebel Hatta, Bayerisches Zuchtrennen and Grosser Preis von Baden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masar (horse)</span> Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Masar is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2018 Epsom Derby. He was highly tried as a two-year-old, finishing third in the Chesham Stakes and winning the Solario Stakes before contesting major races in France and the United States. After racing unsuccessfully in Dubai he returned to Europe in the spring of 2018 to win the Craven Stakes and then ran third when favourite for the 2000 Guineas. After winning the Derby in June he had injury problems and was off the course for over a year before returning as four-year-old in 2019. He failed to recover his form in two starts and was retired from racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wuheida</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Wuheida is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a juvenile she made an immediate impact, winning the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on her second start and being rated the best filly of her generation trained in England. In the following year she missed the first half of the season through injury and then ran well in several major races before ending her season by winning the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. In 2018 she won the Dahlia Stakes on her only appearance before her racing career was ended by injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Illusion</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Wild Illusion is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. She was the highest-rated horse of her age and sex trained in Britain in 2017 when she won two of her three races including the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following year she finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas and second in the Epsom Oaks before winning the Nassau Stakes and the Prix de l'Opéra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross Counter</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Cross Counter is a Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2018 Melbourne Cup. After winning two minor races he was gelded before returning in the summer of 2018 to win two more races including the Gordon Stakes as well as finishing second in the Great Voltigeur Stakes and fourth in the King George V Stakes. In autumn he was sent to Australia and on 6 November he became the first British-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup. In 2019 he won the Dubai Gold Cup and ran third in the Goodwood Cup. He failed to win in 2020 but finished third in the Ascot Gold Cup and the Henry II Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghaiyyath</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Ghaiyyath is an Irish-bred British-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2020 European Horse of the Year after winning the Juddmonte International Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Coronation Cup, and Dubai Millennium Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Persian (horse)</span> British Thoroughbred racehorse

Old Persian, is a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who has raced in England, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Canada and the United States. He showed promise as a two-year-old in 2017 when he won two minor races from four starts. In the following year he showed top-class form over middle distances, winning the Fairway Stakes, King Edward VII Stakes and Great Voltigeur Stakes as well as finishing second in the Newmarket Stakes and fifth in the St Leger. He improved again as a four-year-old, winning the Dubai City of Gold, Dubai Sheema Classic and Northern Dancer Turf Stakes. He ran poorly in two races as a five-year-old and was retired from racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Blues</span> Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Space Blues is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning his only race as a two-year-old in 2018 he improved in the following year to win the Surrey Stakes and went on to be placed in the Jersey Stakes, Prix Jean Prat and Prix Maurice de Gheest. He was even better as a four-year old in 2020, winning the Spring Trophy, Prix de la Porte Maillot, Lennox Stakes and Prix Maurice de Gheest. He continued to compete at the highest level in 2021, winning the Prix de la Forêt before concluding his racing career with victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adayar (horse)</span> Irish-bred, British-traiined Thoroughbred racehorse

Adayar is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2021 Epsom Derby. He showed promise as a two-year-old in 2020, winning the second of his two starts by nine lengths. In the following year he finished second in both the Sandown Classic Trial and the Lingfield Derby Trial before winning the Derby. On his next start, he became the first Derby winner in 20 years to follow up with a victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Adayar is a son of the top stallion Frankel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creative Force</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (2018–2023)

Creative Force was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning one of his two starts as a juvenile in 2020 he was gelded. In the following year he improved to become one of the best sprinters in Europe, winning five races including the Carnarvon Stakes, Jersey Stakes and British Champions Sprint Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern Games</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Modern Games is an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of the best two-year-olds in the world in 2021 when he won four of his six races including the Somerville Tattersall Stakes in England and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in the United States. As a three-year-old he was victorious in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Grade I Woodbine Mile and Breeders' Cup Mile.

Naval Crown is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a juvenile in 2020 he won only one of his five races but was placed three times in high-class races. In the following year he won the Listed Meydan Classic in Dubai as well as running fourth in the 2000 Guineas and second in the Jersey Stakes. As a four-year-old he won the Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai and recorded a Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

References

  1. 1 2 "Yibir pedigree". JBIS.
  2. ↑ "Dubawi Stud Record". Racing Post. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  3. ↑ "Rumh – Race Record & Form". Racing Post.
  4. 1 2 "Piping Peg's Dam – Family 23". Thoroughbred bloodlines. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes result". Racing Post. 2 August 2020.
  6. ↑ "Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes result". Racing Post. 18 September 2020.
  7. ↑ Ord, David (18 September 2020). "Yibir makes all to win Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes". Sporting Life.
  8. ↑ "bet365 Classic Trial result". Racing Post. 23 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Dee Stakes result". Racing Post. 6 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Bahrain Trophy result". Racing Post. 8 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Yibir another Appleby ace as he lands Bahrain Trophy". Racing TV. 8 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "Great Voltigeur Stakes result". Racing Post. 18 August 2021.
  13. ↑ "Yibir delivers Voltigeur victory for Appleby and Doyle". Racing TV. 18 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes result". Racing Post. 18 September 2021.
  15. ↑ Kelly, Jennifer (18 September 2021). "Yibir Punches Ticket To Breeders' Cup Turf With Win In Jockey Club Derby At Belmont". Paulick Report.
  16. ↑ "Breeders' Cup Turf result". Racing Post. 6 November 2021.
  17. ↑ King, Byron (6 November 2021). "Godolphin Makes It Three at BC With Yibir in the Turf". The Blood-Horse .
  18. ↑ "Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) (Turf)". Racing Post. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "Betfair Exchange Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) (Turf)". Racing Post. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  20. ↑ Ehalt, Bob (16 May 2022). "Highland Chief Upsets Gufo, Yibir in Man o' War; Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner Yibir ran third after a tardy start". The Blood-Horse . Retrieved 14 May 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.