Kalanisi ended Godolphin's domination of the Queen Anne Stakes when scything through the field to land Royal Ascot's traditional curtain-raiser.
The victory of the 11-2 chance, slowly away and scrubbed along in the early stages, owed much to the persistence of the champion jockey Kieren Fallon.
Kalanisi, owned by the Aga Khan, eventually got to the front inside the final furlong to defeat Dansili by half a length with a short-head back to Swallow Flight.
Godolphin, attempting to win the Group Two contest for the fifth year in a row, had brief hopes of landing the prize with the favourite Aljabr.
He had taken over from his pacemaking stablemate Muhtathir with two furlongs to travel but was soon swallowed up and finished fourth.
"I've always had faith in Kalanisi and he was perhaps unlucky at Windsor last time," said trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
"They slowed down the pace in front of him and it's possible he was caught out. The way he ran here suggests he might be even better over further."
There is a nine-furlong event at the Curragh which is a possible target and in August York's International Stakes is an option.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We are disappointed that he didn't find anything when asked the question."
Aljabr may now seek amends in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood at the end of next month.
France beat Japan and Dubai in the King's Stand Stakes as Nuclear Debate got the better of Agnes World and Bertolini in the Group Two prize.
However, there was plenty of British interest as the winner is part-owned by Jack and Lynda Ramsden and trained by Chantilly-based Englishman John Hammond.
Gerald Mosse held up the five-year-old, who was trained by Mrs Ramsden before transferring to France, as Perryston View cut out the early pace.
Godolphin looked set to make up for their disappointment in the opener when Bertolini hit the front but Jerry Bailey's mount was swamped by the 16-1 winner and Agnes World in the final furlong.
Nuclear Debate finished the stronger and passed the post a length and a half clear of the Japanese raider, with Bertolini a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Hammond said: "It's very exciting because we have four or probably five Group-class sprinters - it's a lot of fun.
"He's been a really consistent horse last year and this year - he's a real five-furlong horse.
"He likes a strong pace and it was his sort of race really."
A delighted Mrs Ramsden added: "I'm so pleased for John who has been such a good friend.
"Nuclear Debate has always been a progressive horse. When we had him it was just a question of whether he would be furnished as a four or five-year-old."
Safer Gambling UK has launched its annual awareness week to promote responsible gambling.