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Charlie Appleby's Master Of The Seas defied a horror draw in stall fourteen to get up under the shadows of the post from fellow Godolphin-owned market rival Mawj.
The two Godolphin horses served up a race to savour in the Breeders' Cup Mile, with the Charlie Appleby-trained Master Of The Seas narrowly getting the better of Saaed bin Suroor's 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj.
It looked like an almost impossible task for the Norwegian-born champion jockey William Buick from stall fourteen, but the top-class rider displayed every inch of his talent when producing the dual top-level winner with a well-timed run down the centre of the Santa Anita track.
The well-fancied Mawj looked to be in command after a perfect run round on Santa Anita's mile turf track but William Buick, who dropped Master Of The Seas in from his wide berth, was not to be denied and the gelded son of Dubawi showed a willing attitude to mow down the fellow Godolphin rival close home.
Connections of Master Of The Seas were made to wait for a few moments as the judge pondered over the photo finish, but it was soon announced Charlie Appleby's well-backed 3/1 chance had prevailed by a nose.
Casa Creed fared best of the home contingent by finishing back in third.
It was a second Grade 1 success for the globetrotting star following his impressive victory in the Woodbine Mile Stakes in Canada back in September.
More to follow…