Yibir (GB)

After winning two stakes races in Europe in the summer of 2021, Yibir was shipped to the United States for the Grade 1 Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont Park on Sept. 18. He made his presence felt in a big way. Rating last early on, he exploded to the lead with a dramatic turn of foot and pulled away to win by 2 1/2 lengths. With that win, Yibir earned a spot in the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6. 

In the Longines Turf, Yibir was a middle-odds contender but proved to be much the best for the red-hot connections of owner Godolphin, trainer Charlie Appleby, and jockey William Buick. He closed with a powerful rush to win the 1 ½-mile Turf going away to give that group their third Breeders’ Cup win of the weekend.

Yibir’s 2-for-2 campaign in North America during fall 2021 was enough to secure him the Eclipse Award as champion turf male when the honors were announced in February 2022.

Yibir started his 2022 campaign in the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, and finished second by a neck. He finished second again in the Group 2 Betfair Exchange Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on April 27 before shipping back to the U.S. for another top-level event, the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park on May 14. The 0.55-1 favorite hit the starting gate at the outset and only made a mild rally from last of five to finish third behind longshot winner Highland Chief and Gufo.  

Yibir is out of the German-bred stakes winner Rumh, by Monsun. He is a full brother to multiple Group 1 winner and $1.5-million earner Wild Illusion.