G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Yibir arrives in New York for G1 Man o’ War
At 0h32, on May 10, 2022 • By BELMONT PARK
Godolphin homebred Yibir, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf in November at Del Mar, landed in New York early Sunday morning for Saturday’s Grade 1, $700,000 Man o’ War, an 11-furlong inner turf test for older horses, at Belmont Park.
Man o’ War Day boasts five graded stakes, including the nine-furlong Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan, the local prep for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets; the Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay; the Grade 3, $150,000 Vagrancy; and the Grade 3, $150,000 Runhappy.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Yibir, a 4-year-old Dubawi chestnut, captured the $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational in September at Belmont ahead of his rallying half-length score over Broome at the Breeders’ Cup.
The multiple group stakes winner shipped from Stansted Airport in London, England, to Frankfurt, Germany, on their journey to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.
“We touched down just after midnight and we were into the barn and done by 2 A.M.,” said Appleby’s traveling assistant Chris Connett. “We were very happy with him on the flight. He ate and drank a nice amount of water which is key when you get horses on a plane for that length of time.”
Yibir has made two starts this campaign, finishing a close second in March in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic ahead of a runner-up effort on April 29 over good going in the Group 2 Jockey Club at Newmarket.
Connett said Yibir has matured physically since his last appearance at Belmont.
