Mostahdaf produced a career-best to land a red-hot renewal of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
John and Thady Gosden's charge was a big-race winner in Saudi Arabia during the winter before running with real credit behind Japanese superstar Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
But he was somewhat the forgotten horse here as the race was billed as a showdown between former Derby hero Adayar, Michael Stoute's Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge and his Curragh conqueror Luxembourg.
However, it was the Shadwell-owned five-year-old who landed the spoils in tremendous fashion, to strike for the first time at the highest level.
Jim Crowley was content to bide his time in the early stages as Aidan O'Brien's Luxembourg and American raider Classic Causeway eyeballed each other on the front end, but the jockey found himself in the perfect spot to strike as the runners entered the home straight.
And as push came to shove for the main protagonists, the 10-1 winner cruised to the lead before extending his advantage in the closing stages, registering a deeply impressive four-length success over Luxembourg.
The victory gave John Gosden his third victory in the past 10 years in the 10-furlong contest and his fifth overall, but his first in conjunction with son Thady.
That was stunning! MOSTAHDAF proves himself the best of a star-studded Prince of Wales's Stakes! ⭐️ congratulations to Jim Crowley, John & Thady Gosden, and @ShadwellStud pic.twitter.com/kK4pCjCbjF
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 21, 2023
Afterwards Aidan O'Brien said he would look at stepping Luxembourg up to a mile and a half in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes on 29 July.
"We're very happy and the winner won very well," said the Ballydoyle handler afterwards.
"The plan was that we would have a look at the King George after this anyway. That's possible, so we'll see how he is. He was always going to get a mile and a half well."
