YIMOU won at Windsor last night making it his fourth win within the last 12 calendar months but it was his first success over the minimum distance.
One of nine runners in the five furlong contest for four-year-olds and upwards rated 0-95, he was always prominent under jockey George Downing, who was riding him for just the second time. Unlike his last run over 6f at Windsor, when the son of Kodiac blazed the trail, he set a steadier pace this time around. Ridden two furlongs from home, the 9/2 second favourite hit the front just where it matters, close home and held on by a neck from the running on Second Collection.
While the five-year-old gelding’s three previous wins, at Newbury, Yarmouth and Windsor were all over six furlongs, it looked for all the world last time out as though the drop back to five would suit and indeed it did much to the delight of victorious owner, Andrew Cohen who was there to see his charge’s fourth win in just thirteen career starts. Congratulations to Andrew who looks to have an improving sprinter on his hands.
The horse was bought as a colt at the Doncaster Horses in Training Sale in November 2017 for just £18,000 out of John Gosden’s yard, having previously been in the ownership of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan. A 180,000 guineas yearling, he is really beginning to look at steal for a tenth of his original price.
This was the stable’s third win since the resumption of racing and the yard and George Downing weren’t far off landing a Windsor double as Lordsbridge Boy was beaten just three quarters of a length in a six furlong handicap an hour later. He’d been off the course for 220 days so this was a very pleasing reappearance and hopefully his turn will not be far away.