Yibir defeats Leger candidates to set up million-dollar Belmont target

Charlie Appleby has dominated the three-year-old middle-distance division this season with Adayar and Hurricane Lane leading the way, but Yibir is no back number himself and teed up a tilt at the $1 million Jockey Club Derby at Belmont with victory in the Great Voltigeur.

A gelding operation in May and the re-application of a hood pointed to Yibir not being the easiest of conveyances, making his career-best performance all the more satisfying for the Godolphin trainer.

The Jockey Club Derby was inaugurated two years ago with the first running going to fellow Newmarket trainer David Simcock and Spanish Mission. Covid-19 claimed last year’s renewal, so Yibir will bid to make it 2-2 for Britain on September 18 in a race that provides a guaranteed run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf to the winner.

Yibir defeated the Aidan O’Brien-trained front-runner The Mediterranean by a length and a quarter, with the runner-up shortened to 10-1 (from 33) with Paddy Power for the Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster on September 11.

Appleby said: “Yibir has been such a great workhorse and has danced every dance. We put him in those Classic trials for a reason as we really fancied him in the spring as being a proper mile and a half horse. He's had his quirks, being gelded and having his hood on and off.

“We saw another side to him at Goodwood as he latched on and William [Buick] couldn’t get him back. He ran his race the wrong way round so we wanted him out the back and to learn to do it the right way round.

“James Doyle gave him a great ride and Yibir has a lot of potential. He’s a gelding so he’ll be around for a couple of years and we’ll have a bit of fun with him. Our plan is to go to the US for the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont, and he’ll be up for a bit of travelling.”

Yibir: leads the Great Voltigeur field home in front of a big crowd at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

Doyle has certainly worked out the key to Yibir, taking his record on the gelding to 3-3, and he gave special praise to work-rider Shane Fetherstonhaugh, who knows a quality horse when he rides one having been the regular home partner of Frankel and Ghaiyyath, among other stars.

Doyle said: “He relaxed really well, the pace was consistent enough and he won like a good horse. It’s rewarding when it all comes together as he’s not been the easiest and Shane has done a brilliant job with him.

“He’s ridden him pretty much his whole life and has always said he gives him a really good feel, so it’s great we’ve been able to piece everything together with him.”

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