Two miles no problem for Yibir in Listed Marathon

Yibir added another string to his bow with a first victory over two miles in the Listed Coral Marathon at Sandown Park, UK, on Friday, 7 July.

The 2021 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, who had finished sixth on his first staying appearance in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, disputed last of the six runners with Estacas after being squeezed for room leaving the stalls.

William Buick cajoled Yibir into the race half a mile from home and the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi stayed on after being switched out approaching the final quarter-mile.

Yibir took up the running from Aaddeey over a furlong from home and soon went away from the field, crossing the line three and a half lengths clear.

William Buick said: “Yibir got into a lovely rhythm and the pace was even the whole way, so you could come from anywhere in the race. He built into it lovely and picked up well when I asked him.

“He has proven that he gets two miles but it is probably his maximum trip and he could easily come back to a mile and six furlongs. He has been such a good horse over the years and it’s lovely to get him back winning.”