Charm Spirit ended France’s 21-year barren spell in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as he powered home in the Group One contest over Ascot’s straight mile.
Olivier Peslier managed to find a gap on Freddy Head's three-year-old and had enough in hand to hold Night Of Thunder, who received a rather injudicious ride from Richard Hughes.
The 5-1 shot got home by half a length from the 2-1 favourite, with Night Of Thunder's stablemate Toormore (25-1) just behind in third.
Peslier said: "I came a little bit early, but he was very generous for me.
"He was always in front and it was a really good win.
"It is wonderful."
Top Notch Tonto was quick to grab the stands' rail and lead from Custom Cut, with Kingsbarns and Brendan Brackan close up.
Hughes bided his time at the rear of the field on Night Of Thunder but ended up covering far more ground than any of his rivals as he sought a clear run.
By the time Hughes (who picked up a four-day whip ban for his efforts) had extricated his mount, Charm Spirit had squeezed past Tullius and had flown into the lead, and the best Night Of Thunder could do was claim second spot.
Last year's champion two-year-old Toormore ran his best race of the season in third place, another half a length in arrears.
Charm Spirit was fifth behind Night Of Thunder in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, but has since won four races on the spin - three of which at the highest level.
The high-class colt was last seen in action in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp, where he defeated the Hannon-trained Toronado by a head, with Night Of Thunder a close-up third.
Head said: "It's fantastic. I'm delighted, I could not ask for more.
"He ran a great race and was given a great ride by Olivier Peslier.
"He's not a horse that can win by five lengths, but you can't beat him.
"He was stiff after the Guineas, but I knew the horse was a much better horse today, but it's always difficult to come here and win.
"He showed he can really stay - he's a real fighter.
"He's a very good horse."
Head revealed that Charm Spirit could have run his last race.
The trainer said: "He could go to stud now, I will discuss it with the owner.
"He's won three Group Ones in a row, what more can he do?"
Hannon said of his duo: "I think he (Night Of Thunder) was probably slightly unlucky, and so was Toormore, but that's racing.
"They both stay in training and that gives us a lot of hope for next year."
