Kayf Tara entered the record books as the first horse to regain the Gold Cup when getting up to beat Far Cry by a head at Royal Ascot.
But the result could hardly have come in more remarkable circumstances.
After greeting their charge into the spot reserved for the winner, connections had to endure a nerve-wracking 20-minute wait while stewards looked into an incident approaching the final furlong when Kayf Tara drifted across the track interfering with eventual fourth San Sebastian.
The officials also looked at the possibility that the Godolphin horse had also brushed up against the runner-up in the shadow of the post.
However the roar that greeted the announcement that the positions would remain unchanged confirmed the relief not only of Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage but of the punters who ensured Kayf Tara was sent off the 11-8 favourite for the historic event.
It was no more than Kayf Tara deserved after the Sadler's Wells entire had looked as if he might never race again following a suspensory ligament injury sustained on the eve of last year's Melbourne Cup.
However, the tender loving care he received from connections throughout the winter proved just what the doctor ordered as the six-year-old joined the greats of the staying game with multiple successes in this true test of stamina.
After the result of the inquiry was announced Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford, who confirmed that this will probably be the winner's final season, declared: "I'm incredibly relieved."
He declared Kayf Tara a "superstar", adding: "He has now won eight Pattern races, more than any other horse to race for Godolphin has ever done - Daylami only won seven.
"He has plenty of heart and is very brave - he must be one of the best stayers of recent years because he is so consistent."
Unusually for a dual Gold Cup winner, Kayf Tara will now be dropped in distance - by a mile, according to Crisford.
"He will be dropping back to a mile and a half for the King George now," he said.
"We did it with Classic Cliche and he was second to Pentire. If the ground is soft he would have a great chance, he will go well even if it's good. We will probably also run Fantastic Light in the race.
"He is not a two-and-a-half-mile horse. He doesn't really get the trip, he's just very classy."
Referring to the incident with San Sebastian, Crisford remarked: "I can't explain what happened, he seemed to lose his hind legs a bit. He has gone on to win the race and then hung to the right."
Winning jockey Michael Kinane admitted he thought his mount would keep the race.
"You're always worried when interference happens but I never felt he would lose the race," he said.
"They'd gone a nice gallop but he but he just lost his balance and fell in a bit.
"In the first incident, we made contact and my horse seemed to lose his balance a bit and I didn't think there was any interference in the second incident."
Martin Pipe trainer of the runner-up admitted he thought the winner would keep the race.
"I didn't think we'll get it," he said.
"I think he's run a real blinder. The other horse brushed him a little bit but it was not too bad.
"We've seen two great horses and I'm happy to settle for second."
Gerard Butler was delighted with the performance of Compton Ace who finished third (beaten around two lengths).
The Pharly colt was last entering the straight but produced a strong late finish on the far rails.
"He did not have a saddle on him until December or January," Butler said.
"In the morning I expect he'll be like me after I have had a hard game of rugby. He will be stiff and sore and feeling his exertions, but if he is sound we might bring him back for the King George.
"I told Richard (Hughes) not to leave the inside, they almost always fan wide off the rails on the home turn, and he got a marvellous run up the fence.
"All being well, he will be back next year."
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