Golden Horn has become just the fifth horse to add the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown to his Epsom Derby victory.
He joins Tulyar, Mill Reef, Nashwan and Sea The Stars to complete the rare double and his Dante Stakes win in between makes him the first to claim the treble.
While the race was robbed of some of its glamour with the defection of French Derby winner New Bay on Monday, it still served up a treat in what was an intriguing clash of the generations between Golden Horn and The Grey Gatsby.
Although the 4-9 favourite was slowly away from the stalls, Frankie Dettori kept to his planned tactics by quickly pushing Golden Horn to lead The Grey Gatsby by the end of the opening furlong (200m).
Turning for home there was little change in the order, but surprisingly it was Dettori who was the first to get lower in the saddle as The Grey Gatsby loomed up, seemingly travelling much the better.
However, Dettori had a partner who was not going to back down as Golden Horn pulled out a little extra to push on again and cross the line 3-1/2 lengths clear.
“For him to go forward like that, something he has never done before in training, shows how versatile he is. He did it beautifully,” trainer John Gosden said.
“What a lovely clean race, with The Grey Gatsby right there. It was clean all the way, with a top three-year-old and a top older horse.
“He’s a very high-class horse. He’s won his Derby, he’s come here and won the Eclipse.
“If he’s in good form, of course the King George would be wonderful to run in, but if it’s a dance too far then we wouldn’t. We’ll do right by the horse.”
Dettori rates the Cape Cross colt as among the best he has ridden.
“We said ‘we know he’s the best horse, let’s prove to the world that he is’, so we did it the hard way,” he said.
“It kind of took him by surprise as he’s never been in front.
“My horse had every chance to give in, but he showed what a true champion he is. He wouldn’t go down and put some daylight between them at the end.
“He’s a remarkable horse and up there with the very best I’ve ridden.”
