Trainer Charlie Appleby revealed at a Dubai World Cup conference March 28 that 2023 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) hero Master of The Seas has landed in Lexington and will make his next start in the April 12 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.
Appleby reported that Master of The Seas arrived in Kentucky with a team of other horses slated to run during the Keeneland spring meet.
"He shipped in well and hopefully he’ll be a big player in two weeks' time in Keeneland," Appleby said. "He’s there for another crack at (winning a grade 1 at Keeneland)."
In Master of The Sea's last trip to Keeneland, the gelding was beaten a nose by eventual American turf male champion Up to the Mark in the Oct. 7 Turf Mile Stakes (G1T). A month later, the son of Dubawi rebounded with a spectacular late-running victory over fellow Godolphin colorbearer Mawj in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park.
Appleby said that Master of The Seas looked "fantastic" training at his yard in Newmarket last week ahead of the gelding's 6-year-old debut. The Maker's Mark would be Master of The Seas' fourth race on this side of the Atlantic, having won the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) last fall to kick off his stellar North American campaign.
The trainer finished second in the 2023 Maker's Maker with another Godolphin runner and Breeders' Cup Mile winner, Modern Games.
Nominations closed yesterday for the $600,000 Maker's Mark and have not yet been released.
