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Yibir streaks home in Jockey Club Derby

Racenews

Yibir unleashed an electric turn of foot as he came from last to first for a decisive victory in the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont Park, USA, on Saturday, 18 September.

The son of Dubawi, bidding for a second straight win over a mile and a half after scoring in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, UK, in August, was slow into his stride and raced lazily at the rear of the seven runners early on.

Yibir continued in last and was coaxed along by Jamie Spencer turning in before producing a storming run around the field at the top of the straight, hitting the front a furlong and a half from home.

The Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old readily took control and was pushed out to prevail by two and a half lengths in the US$1million contest, a “Win and You’re In” race for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Jamie Spencer said: “Yibir didn’t like having someone in the gate with him and was a little apprehensive when they opened. I was niggling along but he is a horse who is very responsive when you engage him – I was concerned early but even I was surprised with what he did before the quarter-pole.

“I gave him a squeeze and was there a mile too soon. If I had known what response I was going to get, I would have waited until halfway down the straight.”