2000 Guineas Runner Up Master Of The Seas To Miss Royal Ascot With Setback

The Godolphin owned and Charle Appleby trained 2000 Guineas second Master Of The Seas has suffered an injury setback which will see him miss Royal Ascot.

The three year old has been seen three times during his career, making his debut in June at Newmarket over seven furlongs and getting off the mark in good style.

He then went into the Group Two Superlative Stakes over the same course and distance and beat a smart field by three lengths.

Trying to keep his unbeaten juvenile record he went to the Curragh for the Group One Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and finished a stellar fourth behind the best of the Irish, that have all since franked the form in the Dewhurst Stakes.

The colt was last seen at Meydan in February having his first run of the season in a Listed event over a mile and he finished a good second behind stablemate Naval Crown.

He came on a fair bit for that run when running in the Group Three Craven Stakes and managing to land the event in taking style.

It was al systems go for the first Classic event of the season and with William Buick choosing the colt over other Appleby trained entries, he was always set to go close.

In a photo-finish he finished a narrow second to Poetic Flare for Jim Bolger and having gave a good account of himself at Newmarket, he was all set to head to Royal Ascot for the St James's Palace Stakes.

However, it was revealed on Monday that the rising star has suffered a small setback and will now miss the Royal meeting, but hopefully be back before the end of the season.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Master Of The Seas pulled up slightly lame after working on Saturday and after further investigation, he was found to have strained a joint.

“He will now be on the easy list for the next two to four weeks. We will then look at potential future engagements, which could include Goodwood.”