FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile

presented by PDJF (Grade 1)

GODOLPHIN, already the three-time defending leading owner and two-time defending leading breeder in the US, scored a 1-2 finish with Irish-breds Master Of The Seas and Mawj in the Mile.

William Buick rode Master Of The Seas for trainer Charlie Appleby, working out a trip from the extreme outside draw in the field of 13.

The five-year-old son of Dubawi nosed out Mawj, a three-year-old daughter of Exceed And Excel who won Keeneland’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup in her most recent start for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

Master Of The Seas improved off his second by a nose to Up To The Mark in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile and added the Mile to his win two starts back in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. Buick, who closed from 12th after the opening half-mile, wasn’t sure he’d arrive on time.

“That’s a lot of horses to pass,” Buick said of his position on the backstretch.

Master Of The Seas eventually made his way out and flew down to stretch to win in 1nm32.45secs.

“On the home turn, I was a bit lucky because the horse in front of me didn’t pull out, so I didn’t turn in as wide as what I thought I would have to,” Buick said.

“I managed to conserve a little bit more ground than what I expected. Once he went past the quarter pole, he just took off. … I was always confident he was going to get there. Credit to the horse.”

Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Grade 1)

JUDDMONTE’s homebred filly Idiomatic completed as close to a rags-to-riches story possible at the level of the Breeders’ Cup when she defeated a strong group in the Distaff.

Idiomatic won by a half-length under Florent Geroux over Alabama winner Randomized with Le Da Vida third and Clairiere fourth.

The daughter of Curlin started her four-year-old season in a 10-furlong allowance-optional claimer on Turfway Park’s synthetic track, winning by six and a quarter-lengths, before transferring that form to the dirt and finishing the season with three straight Grade 1s.

Trained by Brad Cox, Idiomatic also threw her name in the hat for possible Horse of the Year consideration with her eighth win in nine starts.

“I feel like we’ve managed her well, gave her plenty of time between starts. That says a lot about how good she is because it’s not like she’s fallen out of the gate and needed a setup. She’s run the whole race. That’s what good horses do. They’re able to break, be involved and continue on.

“Listen, I think she definitely deserves some votes for Horse of the Year. It’s a serious record. Once again, it’s Horse of the Year, not horse of the fall, horse of the summer, horse of the spring or horse of the Breeders’ Cup. She has had a tremendous year from start to finish. Today was just icing on the cake,” Cox said.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1)

CHICAGO-based trainer Larry Rivelli spoiled a European sweep of Saturday’s grass races when he sent out the four-year-old Noble Mission gelding Nobals to victory in the five-furlong Turf Sprint in the race immediately after the Classic. Gerardo Corrales rode his first winner, as Rivelli and owner Patricia’s Hope did the same.

Nobals held on by a neck over the late-running Big Invasion with the Aidan O’Brien’s Aesop’s Fables and Ryan Moore third, and the Adam West-trained Live In The Dream fourth under Sean Kirrane.

“This is it,” said Rivelli, who trained Two Phil’s to a runner-up finish in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

“I’m a third-generation trainer. We’ve been doing this forever. I’m happy for the connections – Vince Foglia, my buddy – all my owners, friends, staff and family.”

Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1)

PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade 1)

THERE were three repeat winners on the card and two of them came in sprints. The terrific day of action was closed by Juddmonte’s Elite Power fighting tough and retaining his Sprint crown in again defeating Gunite.

The son of Curlin, enjoying another Breeders’ Cup success, made smooth headway to track leaders two and a half out, and kept on strongly to lead in the final 150yards, giving Irad Ortiz his third Grade 1 win on the card.

In the Filly & Mare Sprint it was same again for Goodnight Olive, adding to her Keeneland win with a decisive two and a half length win over outsider Yuugiri.

The winner went through the ring at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale for $6m million and there is a possibility the daughter of Ghostzapper may race again next season as a six-year-old.