Dawn Approach looks certain to revert to shorter distances after the pressure got the better of the 5-4 favourite and he finished last to Ruler Of The World in the Investec Derby.
The Epsom Classic was going to trainer Aidan O'Brien for the fourth time, and jockey Ryan Moore for the second, but the greatest story of a dramatic race was failure of the impressive 2000 Guineas winner.
Dawn Approach's jockey Kevin Manning said: "He was relaxed going down and there was no indication of what he was going to do.
"We broke and then after 100 yards he started, it got competitive, as it does, he just lit up and basically bolted with me.
"I was a passenger and he took me completely by surprise.
"He got a bump but when I say a bump it just got tight, normal racing, and for whatever reason he just lit up and it was all over.
"I tried to get cover, that wasn't working so we went to the front but the damage was done by that stage.
"It has shocked me because he's never shown me those signs at home."
Trainer Jim Bolger confirmed this, and said: "I doubt he'll be running over a mile and a half again."
While Ruler Of The World (7-1) had looked like at least O'Brien and his Coolmore breeders' second string on only his third start, he came in for solid support in the betting and the positive ride from Moore helped him last home a length and a half in front of the main British challenger Libertarian.
Ruler Of The World's stablemate Battle Of Marengo led when the last of Dawn Approach's energy ebbed away at the three-pole and Moore made the decisive move inside the last couple of furlongs and was by now too far ahead of Libertarian, who had been trapped at the rear and did not descend the top of the hill with much conviction.
"I suppose the two we thought had the best chances were Battle Of Marengo and Ruler Of The World," said O'Brien.
"We always thought the world of Mars and the other horses but those two were at the top of the pecking order.
"All the jockeys had their own plan and all the horses were doing their own thing and that is just the way it ended up.
"This horse was impressive in the Chester Vase and won like a very good horse."
O'Brien was reluctant to confirm Ruler Of The World for anything in the future, but said: "We'd love to go back to the Curragh (Irish Derby) but he's still only a baby. We'll talk it over with everyone."
O'Brien and his son Joseph had earlier had the pleasure of St Nicholas Abbey making history with his third straight success in the Investec Coronation Cup.
Settled at the rear along with his main market rival Dunaden as the two pacemakers set for sail around Tattenham Corner, O'Brien pressed the button two furlongs from home and the response was immediate.
A crack at the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot could now be on the agenda for St Nicholas Abbey, before the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
O'Brien snr said: "He's an incredible horse and has everything you want in a racehorse, he quickens, he travels and is a joy to be around.
"Everyone has done a good job with him at home and he's a privilege to be involved with."
Moore had also shone on the undercard, conjuring up an amazing finish from Sir Michael Stoute's Duke Of Firenze in the Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash'.
Chris Richardson, managing director of winning owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "He's in the Wokingham and this gives us another string to our bow."
Thunder Strike proved to be another of Richard Hannon's jet-propelled two-year-olds as he collected the Investec Woodcote Stakes under Richard Hughes to book a Royal Ascot trip.
