Kalanisi's season of hard labour earned its reward at Newmarket on Saturday with a glorious Dubai Champion Stakes triumph that finally demolished Montjeu's air of invincibility.

In a thrilling showdown, the Aga Khan's battling colt gained the Group 1 victory that had been grabbed from his clutches on two previous occasions by Giant's Causeway.

Kalanisi, providing yet another big-race win for jockey Johnny Murtagh, simply refused to buckle in a nail-biting conclusion and emerged half a length ahead of Montjeu.

Kalanisi's trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, said: He's a thoroughly admirable horse. He had tough battles in the Eclipse and the Juddmonte, but this is his day and I'm thrilled for him.

There was a slight moment of worry when Montjeu loomed up, but I knew our fella was in great shape.

A disappointed John Hammond, trainer of 10-11 favourite Montjeu, said: The horse has had a wonderful career, but you'd have to say he hasn't fired today as he did on his good days."