YIMOU put up one of the stable’s most impressive performances of the season last night in the lucky last at Newbury, justifying market confidence to win going away by one and a half lengths in a sprint handicap.
One of eight runners in the 0-75 handicap for 3yos and upwards over 6f, the son of Kodiac made all under Martin Dwyer and the 9/2 shot, backed down from double figures, always looked in command and the result never looked in doubt.
Yimou cost 170,000 guineas as a yearling and was owned by Her Royal Highness, Princess Haya of Jordan but never raced and was sold at Doncaster in 2017, purchased by Andrew Cohen for just 18,000 guineas.
Jockey, Martin Dwyer, who was riding his fifth winner for Harper Lodge Farm this year said: “I always thought Yimou was a sprinter. He was second over a mile first time out, but didn’t know what he was doing. He didn’t last home over 7f and was very fast tonight. He’s only just learned the job. I thought he would have won here last time, but the ground was too slow. Hopefully he can go on – on fast ground over 6f – as long as the handicapper doesn’t crucify him.”
Congratulations to owner, Andrew Cohen, for whom this looks a shrewd purchase. Being by Kodiac, Yimou not surprisingly has loads of speed and this lightly raced 4yo gelding with very few miles on the clock (this was just his seventh race) could have a half decent future as a sprinter.
The yard had a great late spring/early summer with 13 wins in May and June so it was good to get on the board for July. This was the stable’s 26th win of the year and the 19th individual winner of 2019. We’re on target to beat last year’s joint-best ever total of 39 wins.