Qirat became the biggest priced winner of a Group 1 in Britain and Ireland when causing a humongous upset in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Supplemented at the cost of £70,000 to ensure a decent pace for short-price favourite Field Of Gold, Qirat, who sat handy behind Aidan O'Brien's front-running Serengeti, moved to the head of affairs under Richard Kingscote passing the furlong pole.
As those in behind, which included John and Thady Gosden's 1/3 market leader Field Of Gold, struggled to bridge the gap, Qirat continued to keep up the gallop out in front. Rosallion emerged from off the pace in an attempt to throw down a serious challenge, but he couldn't quite get on terms with the Ralph Beckett-trained gelding, who hung on to score by a neck at staggering odds of 150/1. Aidan O'Brien's contender Henri Matisse finished back in third.
The four-year-old gelded son of Showcasing, who is out of Bluestocking's dam Emulous, was last seen only beating three horses' home in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last month.
''We set out to go 12 second furlongs. That was the plan and what he did. It is a simple as that," said Beckett, who enjoyed a fine quick spell on the Sussex Downs after Tabiti and Saqqara Sands dead-heated earlier on the card.
"They didn't sit close to him and that is the end result. When the race closed, I asked (Juddmonte racing manager) Barry Mahon if we could enter him because he was working so well and loves this place.
''I had him pencilled in to be entered and Barry said, 'I don't think there is much point in that.' He is a real Goodwood specialist. That is a fact and Richard (Kingscote) is very good in this front-running role. He has always been a terrific judge of the clock.
''The horse loves this place. You don't have to be a form man to realise that. It didn't go right for him in the Royal Hunt Cup because I put blinkers on him. That was an error. I always felt he was looking after himself.
''When he went past Henri Matisse, I could see they were not coming, and I was fairly confident he would not stop. He looked a million dollars beforehand. I don't think he has ever looked that well.
''What a wonderful mare his dam Emulous has been for us. She has come up with (last year's Arc winner) Bluestocking and now this. She has been like a hole-in-the-wall, a cash machine for us!
''Obviously I am sorry it did not work out for Field of Gold, but it is a horse race. Anything can happen."
Victory marks something of a fine farewell for jockey Richard Kingscote as he gears up to move away from Britain to take up a riding contract in Hong Kong next month.
''It's a bit surreal and not what I expected this morning," said Kingscote. "I am delighted for Ralph and Juddmonte. Ralph was happy with the horse. He had won here twice before. Obviously, we didn't expect him to win but hoped he would run well.
''It is better to be going off on a positive note. Hopefully, the guys in Hong Kong get to see me riding winners. I am looking forward to the opportunity and hope it goes well but I have not burnt bridges so I can always come back if needs be.''
Field Of Gold ultimately had to settle for the fourth spot as he bid to emulate his great sire Kingman, who claimed the Sussex Stakes eleven years ago following victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes.
