Aidan O'Brien's Japan got the better of Crystal Ocean in a titanic tussle for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
In what turned into a bob of heads in front of the packed Knavesmire stands, it was the three-year-old Japan (5/1) under Ryan Moore who held sway by a head from the gallant 11/10 favourite Crystal Ocean.
Mark Johnston's supplemented Elarqam, bidding to provide Yorkshire with a first winner in the great race, was a length further back in third in the hands of Jim Crowley.
Japan's stablemate Circus Maximus set the pace with Crystal Ocean alongside him. Stoute's admirable five-year-old hit the front a long way out, but could not get sufficiently clear of the opposition.
Although he knuckled down in typically game fashion, Crystal Ocean was caught by Japan in the dying strides and succumbed by a head, giving O'Brien a record-equalling sixth win in the race, along with Stoute.
O'Brien said: "Ryan was over the moon with him, he's got better and better. We saw he got a mile and a half and we didn't want to bottom him today which is why we came back to a mile and a quarter today with the autumn coming.
"We couldn't be happier and the team back home have done a magnificent job. He had an easy race in Longchamp, it was a steadily-run race and he quickened and got to the front. It was very easy for him and we knew he wouldn't go and win by far.
"He's a lovely relaxed horse and loads of class. The first time he showed us that real class was when he won the Beresford when he beat two or ours which we knew were good horses.
"We rushed him to get back ready for the Dante but every rung has been a step up. The three-year-olds are better than anyone thinks. The King George was a bit of a disaster with the soft ground and it didn't work but that wasn't a true reading of the three-year-old form.
"The lads will see what they want to do but it'll be something like that (straight to the Arc) and we'll maybe take in the Irish Champion Stakes on the way."
Acknowledging another gallant performance from Crystal Ocean, whose season has also included victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and a neck second to Enable in the King George, Stoute said: "Yes all of that, just didn't win."
Mark Johnston was pleased to see the faith shown in Elarqam rewarded, but left slightly wondering what might have been.
The Middleham trainer said: "He was obviously very keen early on and he got caught off the bridle a couple out, but he has come back with a vengeance.
"Jim (Crowley) felt had he let him stride on early on then he might've won it. Had they come up the middle, as they have done in every race for the last five years, he might have won anyway.
"So it's frustrating, but it certainly confirms beyond any doubts that he had class, so that's reassuring."
Fourth home was the John Gosden-trained King Of Comedy, for whom things did not go quite to plan.
Gosden said: "He stumbled out of the gate and was then too keen for three furlongs. He eventually settled into a rhythm, came with a nice looking run, but paid the price for having used too much petrol early.
"He'd have been a good third. He's still quite young and I think when he learns to race more professionally he'll give them a real race.
"We'll back away now, we're not going to go to Ireland, we'll freshen him up, give him a racecourse gallop and go for the QEII.
"He's a mile-and-a-quarter horse, but not if you over-race early. The pace was a bit stop-start, which was clever as it worked for Japan and as usual they (Ballydoyle) knew what they were up to. We'll definitely be looking at 10 furlongs and the Prince of Wales's next year, no problem."