Northern Afleet’s 5-year-old World Approval beat the best racing had to offer with a brilliant performance in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Saturday at Del Mar.

The near-white 5-year-old is a Live Oak Plantation homebred out of their foundation mare Win Approval, who is also the dam of 2006 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Miesque’s Approval, as well as millionaires Revved Up and Za Approval.

World Approval was hustled out of the gate by John Velazquez and found himself in fifth between horses as the field rounded the first turn. In a similar spot through the first half-mile, he began to edge closer around the final bend. Coming into the stretch, World Approval was poised in perfect position and soon took over the lead.

With a host of challengers all mounting a charge, World Approval still managed to increase his margin in deep stretch, winning by 1 1/4-lengths in 1:34.55 on the firm turf.

“I would tell you that I fulfilled a lot of expectations, and I’m so excited. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am,” said Live Oak owner Charlotte Weber. “To have a foundation mare, it’s a privilege and an honor. And Mark has really put the finishing touches on this horse, and I feel privileged to be with the Casse team.”

Trainer Mark Casse added that World Approval would take the winter off at Live Oak, then return for a 2018 campaign that could include racing at Royal Ascot in Great Britain.

World Approval’s record now stands at 11-2-4 in 24 starts, with nine stakes wins and $2,937,363 in earnings, which makes him Northern Afleet’s all-time leading earner, just above 3-year-old champion Afleet Alex and Amazombie, who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2011.