Master of the Seas came flying down the center of the course to just nail fellow Godolphin colorbearer Mawj on the wire to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile by a nose at Santa Anita on 4 November.
The five-year-old gelding is the third consecutive winner of the Mile for his sire, Dubawi, whose Modern Games captured the race for the same connections last year, with Space Blues taking the spoils in 2021. Multiple G1 winner Mawj (by Exceed And Excel) completed the Darley-sired/Godolphin exacta in the race.
Despite being stuck on the outside in post 14, Master of the Seas broke alertly and was allowed to settle at the back of the field early as Win Carnelian and Astronomer battled for the early lead. Mawj was just behind them in third, and soon took up the battle with Astronomer as Win Carnelian began to fade.
Master of the Seas, who was still near the rear on the backstretch, began his move at the three-eighths pole, racing in the clear out near the center of the course. Mawj had taken the lead at this point and appeared to have the advantage, but Master of the Seas was under a full head of steam and came flying home late to nail Mawj on the wire.
A Godolphin homebred, Master of The Seas is one of ten winners bred by Firth of Lorne including Stakes winners Latharnach (Iffraaj) and Falls Of Lora (Street Cry), who is herself the dam of two G1 winners.
Dubawi is the sire of 36 Stakes winners so far this season, including Ancient Wisdom, recent winner of the G1 Futurity Trophy. Additional winners include juvenile G1-hero Henry Longfellow who landed the National Stakes at the Curragh, Lord North (Dubai Turf), Al Husn (Nassau Stakes) and Modern Games (Lockinge Stakes).
