Yibir (GB) © Benoit Photo
The parade of Godolphin homebreds to the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle continued when Yibir (GB) ($19) rallied for a half-length victory over Broome (IRE) to win the 38th running of the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Del Mar.
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, Yibir covered the 1 ½ miles on a firm Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 2:25.90, establishing a course record.
It is the third victory of the weekend for Appleby and Buick who combined to win the Juvenile Turf (G1) on Friday with Modern Games (IRE) and the FanDuel Mile (G1) presented by PDJF with Space Blues (IRE) earlier Saturday afternoon.
It is the first victory in the Turf for both trainer and jockey and the sixth overall for Appleby and fifth for Buick.
Longshots Tribhuvan (FR) and Acclimate set the pace and maintained the advantage until the far turn when the rest of the field closed ranks.
Broome swept past Teona (IRE) at mid-stretch and established a daylight advantage only to be run down in the final 50 yards by Yibir. Teona finished third and Japan (GB) was fourth to complete a European superfecta.
The victory was worth $2,080,000 and increased Yibir’s earnings to $2,895,580 with a record of 12-6-1-2.
Yibir is a 3-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Monsun (GER) mare Rumh (GER).
For participant biographies, visit https://www.equibase.com/content/BC/2021probables.cfm
Winning Jockey William Buick (Yibir (GB)) – “It’s been unbelievable. An amazing weekend. 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.”
Trainer Aiden O’Brien (Broome (IRE), second and Japan, fourth) – “They’ve all run well, but just not quite good enough today. The winner has done it well and is very smart.”
Trainer Roger Varian (Teona (IRE), third) – “As she angled for home I thought we had a big chance. Watching the race again I don’t think it’s an ideal track for her. Hopefully she’s fine after the race. She’ll be aimed at all the big races next year and it’s very exciting. If having runners at Breeders’ Cup doesn’t get your blood up nothing will!”
Trainer Bill Mott (Channel Maker, fifth) – “He ran a super race. Luis (Saez) rode him great. There were two very fast horses in there, so we just laid in behind them. He ran hard. He ran is heart out. We were fifth, but if they give you a good effort you can’t complain.”
Jockey Luis Saez (Channel Maker, fifth) – “He did everything right and I did everything they asked for. I just got beat. When I got to the quarter pole, he responded really well and I had some horse and thought I can win this race. I kept trying but the winner just kept coming.”
Jockey Colin Keane (defending winner Tarnawa, 11th) – “She ran flat. I think France last time on very soft ground took plenty out of her. She seemed fine after the race.”
FRACTIONS: N/A :48.38 1:12.41 1:36.76 2:02.30 2:25.90