Master Of The Seas Scores Commanding Woodbine Mile Victory, Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth

Last in the early going, favorite Master of The Seas dominated rivals in the stretch as he powered clear to capture the $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1) Saturday at the Toronto-area oval.

Making an auspicious North American debut under William Buick, who was riding for trainer Charlie Appleby, Godolphin's homebred son of Dubawi covered the turf contest in 1:33.79. He returned $2.80 for the win.

Shirl's Speight came on late for second, Lucky Score was third.

With the win, Master of The Seas earned an automatic, fees-paid berth in the $2-million Breeders Cup Mile (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

Godolphin took last year's edition of the Woodbine Mile with Modern Games, also trained by Appleby and piloted by Buick.

Entering off a score in the one-mile Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (G2) on July 15 at Ascot, Master of The Seas won for the third time in five starts this year for trainer Charlie Appleby and improved his career line to 7-2-2 from 14 starts.

My Sea Cottage (IRE), one of three (Ice Chocolat (BRZ) and Lucky Score were the other two) Mark Casse trainees, accelerated to the front in the field of six, followed by Ice Chocolat, War Bomber (IRE), Lucky Score, Shirl's Speight, and an unhurried Master of The Seas, who hugged the hedge through an opening quarter of :23.68 over a turf course rated as good.

It was My Sea Cottage who continued to set the tempo, a half-length clear of War Bomber after a half in :47.32, as Buick continued to maintain a patient hand on Master of The Seas.

Buick then wheeled the 2-5 choice to the outside and the pair began to methodically pick off their rivals as the field navigated the turn for home. Full of run as the field straightened for the long stretch drive, Master of The Seas, now six- to seven-wide, roared to the lead midstretch and then kicked away with ease to notch a 3 ¾-length victory. Shirl's Speight rallied to finish second, a neck in front of Lucky Score.

War Bomber, Ice Chocolat and My Sea Cottage rounded out the order of finish.

“He's a horse that is pretty lightly raced and he's not the most straight forward, but the team over here has done a great job with him,” said Appleby's assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “He has been very relaxed over here and settled in well. We see the result of that. He is professional and he's done it nicely. He will ship home. Then see how he comes out of the race and see how he is at the end of October. Hopefully if he is well, maybe go back to the Breeders' Cup.”

Bred in Ireland, Master of The Seas is out of the Danehill mare Firth of Lorne.