European invader Yibir made a bold, sweeping move in the stretch to claim victory in the $1M Jockey Club Derby Invitational by two-and-a-half lengths at Belmont Park 18 September.
The win earned the three-year-old Dubawi gelding an automatic berth into the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar, since it is part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ Series sponsored by the Breeders’ Cup. Yibir provided both Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby with a rapid-fire Stakes double on the afternoon. Shortly prior to the Belmont race, Godolphin’s Walton Street romped to victory in the G1 Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine.
Settled at the rear of the field under Jamie Spencer, Yibir was content to let longshot Tango Tango Tango set an easy pace on the lead. Once asked to quicken by Spencer, however, the chestnut came flying late, sweeping past rivals in the stretch to win going away.
Yibir is out of the multiple Stakes winner Rumh (Monsun), making him a full brother to Dubawi’s three-time G1 winner Wild Illusion, and a half-brother to Stakes-winning filly Really Special (Shamardal).
Dubawi has now sired a world leading 28 individual Stakes winners in 2021. They include 16 Group winners including Lord North, D’Bai, Glorious Journey, Kemari, Space Blues and Master Of The Seas.
