Space Blues out of this world in Breeders' Cup Mile after more stalls drama

Saturday: FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, Del Mar

Space Blues enjoyed a fairytale conclusion to his career with a third top-level triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old backed up his Prix de la Foret success over 7f on heavy ground at Longchamp with a comfortable win over a mile on quick ground at Del Mar. He beat Smooth Like Strait with Ivar back in third.

However, there was more stalls drama prior to the Grade 1 for owners Godolphin and Appleby, whose other runner Master Of The Seas was scratched after rearing up in the gates under James Doyle.

Breeders' Cup Mile: full result

That followed the Appleby-trained Albahr being withdrawn from Friday's Juvenile Turf, with stablemate Modern Games withdrawn and then reinstated as confusion reigned before going on to win the final race on day one.

Appleby said: “There’s been a couple of interesting races for us to watch in the last 24 hours! William gave Space Blues a fantastic ride and I’m over the moon to see him go out on a high.

“He’s not the best on the turns, but I knew he was going to fly home once straightened up.”

Space Blues’s other top-level win came in last year’s Prix Maurice de Gheest, while he landed the Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia on his first start this year.

Buick said: “Space Blues is one of my favourites so I wanted to do him justice on his last start. I felt a little more pressure than I usually would so I’m delighted we got the result we were looking for.

"He's a great little horse and probably not quite got the recognition he really deserves. Hopefully he goes on to become a great stallion.”

Space Blues bowed out with a record of 11 wins, three seconds and a third from 19 starts, earning just short of £2 million in prize-money.

Mother Earth and Real Appeal, runners for Aidan O’Brien and Jessica Harrington, made late gains from the rear of the field but failed to trouble the principals.

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