After capturing the Breeders’ Cup Mile with the Dubawi homebred Space Blues (IRE), Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby struck again with another son of Dubawi, Yibir (GB), in the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf.
Coming with an explosive finish from near the tail of the field, Yibir (GB) led home a 1-2-3-4 for the Europeans. He got the better of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Broome (Australia) in the shadows of the post to win by a half-length.
It was another one and a half lengths back to Teona (Sea The Stars) with Japan (Galileo) in fourth.
With eight starts in 2021, Yibir has had a comparatively busy year considering he was gelded in March. He has now won his last three, beginning with the Group II Great Voltigeur Stakes at York and the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park.
The 3yo gelding advances his record to six wins, a second and two thirds from 12 starts.
It was a third winner at the meet for Godolphin, Appleby and Dubawi with Modern Games taking the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf on Friday.
But it has not all plain sailing with two Godolphin entrants being scratched at the barrier the latest being Master of The Seas (Ire) in the Breeders’ Cup Mile won by his stablemate Space Blues (IRE).
“A fantastic weekend, though I'll be taking a couple of them home fresh,” Appleby said.
“I don't know quite how to describe it, really. Today, obviously standing there again to see potentially what was unfolding in front of us, it took a little bit of stepping back and having to take a breath again.
“But I just knew the right horse was left in the gate in Space Blues, so he was always going to be the main player. And then that in the last, that was the icing on the cake, really. We felt this horse (Yibir) had a lot of talent, he was galloping really good with all our 3-year-old middle distance horses and he's gone and finished it off today.”
William Buick reflected on his incredible weekend.
“It's been unbelievable,” Buick said.
“I've been coming to Breeders' Cup for many years and many times things have not gone my way. I understand how hard it is to have winners here, so I appreciate every bit of success.
“The luck has gone my way this year. I couldn't pull him up after the line as he finished that strong. He's a very special horse.”
Yibir is a brother to Wild Illusion who chalked up three at the highest level in the Prix Marcel Boussac, Prix de l'Opera, and Nassau Stakes.
He is also a half-brother to the stakes-winner Really Special (Shamardal) out of the stakes-winning Monsun mare Rumh (GER).
Yibir becomes the 48th Group 1 winner for Dubawi (IRE), who as we have already stated, enjoyed a most fruitful Breeders’ Cup weekend.
