Frankie Dettori gave a huge grin and waved to the crowd at Deauville in place of his trademark flying dismount as he returned to racing`s big time.
The Italian ace secured his first Group One success since his return to riding action eight days ago when guiding Muhtathir to victory in the Prix du Haras Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois.
The five-year-old, who was sent off at odds of 21.5-1 on the pari-mutuel, was proving to be able an deputy for Dubai Millennium whose shock injury forced him out of this race and ended his career.
Dettori has taken only a few rides since he made his comeback last weekend at Newmarket.
The jockey was sidelined for three months after breaking his ankle in an aircraft crash that resulted in the death of the pilot.
In the past Dettori has treated spectators to a spectacular leap from his horse after winning a Group One event.
But the jockey was much more restrained on this occasion. As the crowd at the Normandy track waited expectantly for his usual antics, the jockey smiled and said: 'I can`t, I`m not allowed to.'
However, there was no disguising Dettori`s delight at his continued rehabilitation from the tragic aircraft crash that threatened his career.
'It`s great to win this race today,' he said. 'Life feels good. With Dubai Millennium out I didn`t think we could win this race but Muhtathir has done really well.'
It was the British raider Crimplene, bidding for her fourth Group One success in a row, that cut out the early running at a good gallop.
But Philip Robinson began sending out distress signals with two furlongs to travel.
Muhtathir soon took charge and stayed on strongly to defeat the hot favourite Sendawar by three lengths.
Kingsalsa took third with Crimplene dropping back to fourth place at the line.
Britain`s other runner, the Yorkshire-trained Sugarfoot, could never strike a blow and trailed in second-last.
Muhtathir was returning to his best, having failed to sparkle in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
'That was much more like it from him,' said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford. 'It seems that he does well when fresh.'
Muhtathir now has the Breeders` Cup Mile as a possible target.
Sendawar is set to seek compensation in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on September 3.
'He just hasn`t been doing enough in the morning. He`s run well but he was just in need of a race,' said trainer Alain de Royer Dupre.
Crimplene`s trainer Clive Brittain said: 'She`s had a long hard time and I suppose she had to get beaten sometime.'
The filly will now have a break before running in Kentucky ahead of the Breeders` Cup meeting.
