Giant`s Causeway lived up to his nickname of the `Iron Horse` by battling to success over Kalanisi in the #450,000 Juddmonte International at York today.
Aidan O`Brien`s charge was completing his fourth Group One success in the space of nine weeks and gave jockey Michael Kinane a treble of around 8-1 in the process.
Kinane tracked his stablemate and pacemaker Shoal Creek from the off, with Kalanisi, who Giant`s Causeway had touched off in an epic battle for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last month, stalking his old rival in third.
Kinane sent the 10-11 favourite to the front with over two furlongs to run but Kalanisi, a 5-4 chance, challenged up the centre of the track two furlongs out and got a length in front.
However, the winner does not know when he is beaten and fought back to lead near the line and gain a head victory.
Lear Spear, a 14-1 chance, was six lengths back in third.
Kinane said of the winner: 'In fairness to Pat and Michael (Stoute) they tactically got it right to try and beat him - they came wide.
'But he seems to know where the winning post is, he loves a fight - he`s not happy unless he`s scrapping.
'You`ll never get to the bottom of him. He`s so tough, so hard.'
Giant`s Causeway is now 4-1 favourite from 6-1 with Coral for the Breeders` Cup Classic this autumn.
