BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 4, 2023

Charlie Appleby

Hugh Anderson

William Buick

Santa Anita Park

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Winners of the Breeders' Cup Mile, Godolphin with back-to-back wins. Trainer Charlie Appleby joining us on the stage now. Incredible effort from Master of the Seas. He was so far back early, and William kind of took him wide. Tell us sort of about the trip and getting to race.

CHARLIE APPLEBY: The trip was -- we had to go out there with a slight plan from that draw. The plan was that were going to have to try and go for that sling shot ride, and that would've only have ever materialized if the pace is there to be able to do that. Thankfully, the pace was on.

Far from saying I was confident, but the pace was setting up for that start of the finish for him. William obviously gave him a great ride round there, got him in that position. It was a coffee book sort of sling shot.

Once that horse got the momentum, we all know what sort of an engine he's got. He's been a bit frustrated. He's been beaten three short heads in Grade 1s. It's just nice for him to get it done today.

All credit to the team as always. It's always a challenge traveling horses. This horse has been to Canada and went from there to Keeneland and shipped up to here. They deserve all the credit. I'm just happy to be here to put a saddle on his back.

THE MODERATOR: Also joining us, Hugh Anderson with Godolphin. And running one-two in this race, back-to-back wins, winning this last year. Kind of the family connections of the horses with Mawj running second, Master of the Seas, of course Modern Games last year. Just sort of about both of these horses, specifically Master of the Seas being a gelding, assuming we'll see him racing some more.

HUGH ANDERSON: For me, watching two outstanding Godolphin horses and their jockeys battling it out at the end of a race like that, it's very exciting. It's thrilling. They're both homebreds. I've got to give every credit to Saeed bin Suroor and Mawj, the only filly in the race, she ran fantastically.

Charlie and William set this up beautifully. Charlie gave us every ground to be pessimistic because of the draw, and sure enough, the plan came off. Yes, Master of the Seas is a gelding. Yes, I'm sure we'll see him racing on, Charlie. It couldn't have been more exciting. Thank you very much to everybody at Godolphin.

Will and Charlie have both finished the season really, really strongly. There was a little bit of a lull midseason, but we're finishing very well.

THE MODERATOR: Finishing very strong here at the Breeders' Cup. Speaking of finishing strong, William, Master of the Seas, he was far back early. Then you elected to go outside. Just kind of take us through this trip and when this horse kicked into gear down the stretch.

WILLIAM BUICK: Obviously he had the post position he had in 14. It was never going to be very easy for him, but he's a closer, as we all saw today.

Look, I spoke to -- me and Charlie spoke at length about it, and we sort of came to the conclusion that there was only one thing we could do is ride the first turn afoot. There were two or three pace angles in the race, and we were just hoping they would materialize, which they did. The pace was good and even throughout the race, and he managed to conserve his energy.

I looked up halfway down the back, and I thought that's a lot of horses to pass. 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. So 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 can't really gauge where -- how far I was behind Mawj, but I knew the way my horse picked up and sustained his run, he was always going to get there. I was always confident he was going to get there.

Credit to the horse. I must say Charlie's record at the Breeders' Cup is amazing. I'm privileged to ride these horses in these races. It's a great effort by Charlie and the team. These races aren't easy at all. Absolutely delighted for everyone. Thank you very much.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. I know you all have to go, I'm being told. Thank you for your time. Congratulations to Master of the Seas.