Frankie Dettori won the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Chaldean on what was his final ride in the Classic.
The Italian is retiring at the end of the current season and knew he had one more shot at glory in the historic race, to add to his three previous victories in the mile contest.
Never far from the pace, Chaldean took a lead off Hi Royal who was just about still in front when he veered across the track, which enabled Dettori to forge into the lead.
The Andrew Balding-trained winner had to dig deep, but the 7-2 shot eventually came home a length-and-three-quarter winner from Hi Royal. Royal Scotsman was third, with Galeron in fourth.
Auguste Rodin was sent off the 13-8 favourite but was never travelling for Ryan Moore and trailed home well beaten.
With rain falling throughout the day, the ground had turned soft and the likes of Little Big Bear and Sakheer, who had to prove their stamina, drifted markedly in the betting.
On the other hand, Chaldean was well supported and Dettori always looked comfortable.
Hi Royal briefly gave him something to think about and really stretched the field, with all bar the winner and Royal Scotsman treading water.
Chaldean strode out purposefully, though, to give Balding a second 2000 Guineas success after Kameko in 2020.
The famous Juddmonte colours were last carried to glory in the race by the brilliant Frankel, Chaldean's sire, in 2011.
Frankie Dettori wins his LAST EVER QIPCO 2000 Guineas! 😮
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 6, 2023
Chaldean shines for @AndrewBalding2 and @Juddmonte #QIPCOGuineas pic.twitter.com/o2L2YdrFzK
Dettori said: "I was in a fight with Oisin (Murphy on Hi Royal) and once I got rid of him, I thought 'I'm sure something is going to come', but I saw plenty of daylight.
"I can’t believe it’s happened really. My last Guineas, to win it in front of my home crowd, amazing.
"Winning Classics is difficult. It’s my last season and to cap it off with a Classic is beyond my wildest dreams."
Balding said: "I was a bit worried about the mile in this ground, but he’s just done a wonderful job, Frankie. We’re making the most of our unconventional prep race (unseated in the Greenham), we might set a trend there!
"It was a concern beforehand, but it did him some good because he got out there. I’m just thrilled, what a brilliant ride.
"What can’t you say about Frankie? Since I’ve been involved in the sport he’s been an omnipresent superstar of the sport and what a fitting way to ride his last 2000 Guineas.
"He always looked to be travelling comfortably, I was just a bit worried about getting past Oisin (Murphy, on Hi Royal) because he can get extra lengths out of horse but once we collared him, I was fairly confident.
"I’ve been looking forward to this for a long while, it’s a mixture of relief and elation. It will probably sink in in a bit, it’s a big deal."
Vadream (7-1) came from way off the pace to catch the long-time leader Live In The Dream and win the other Group race on the card, the Howden Palace House Stakes.
The mare had won the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on Lincoln day but she finished in mid-division when sent out again quickly six days later for All-Weather Finals Day.
Having her first run over the minimum distance in this Group Three, she was perhaps not surprisingly taken off her feet in the early stages.
Part of the reason for that was the lightning pace set by Live In The Dream, who had everything on the stretch going into the dip.
Just when it looked as if Sean Kirrane was going to be celebrating the biggest winner of his career on Adam West's speedster, Charlie Fellowes’ mare began to hit top gear.
Kieran Shoemark, who now has a 100% record on her from two attempts, brought Vadream with a withering run nearest to the stands to get up by half a length. Manaccan was third.
We've found a horse that LOVES the rain! 💦☔🌧️
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 6, 2023
VADREAM comes from nowhere up the rail to take the Howden Palace House Stakes 👏#QIPCOGuineas pic.twitter.com/OaqMnMteTH
Fellowes said: "I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t delighted when the rain came last night and then more this morning.
"She just loves it (soft ground). She’s a very good mare, but she has to have her conditions and she got them today."
