Crystal Ocean claimed his first Group One success by landing the Prince Of Wales's Stakes under a fine Frankie Dettori ride.
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Crystal Ocean had finished second at the highest level twice last term, but he finally came good as he outbattled Magical in the 10-furlong showpiece, which was run in pouring rain.
Given a masterful ride by Dettori, Crystal Ocean (3-1) raced on the heels of pace-setter Hunting Horn until the race began in earnest turning for home.
Dettori committed early and moved out to the middle of the track as 13-8 favourite Magical struggled to go with him, before he just started to drift back to the far rail.
Ryan Moore switched Magical to the inside for a second run, but Crystal Ocean was not for passing and Dettori stood up in his irons before the line, coming home a length-and-a-quarter winner.
Waldgeist made up late ground to take third, while Sea Of Class was fifth of the eight runners on her seasonal bow.
Stoute - enhancing his record as the all-time leading trainer at the Royal meeting with his 80th success - said: "It was great team work. Several people ride him work, including Ted Durcan.
"He's been very consistent. If you look at his record, it's quite amazing. It's great for the (Southcourt) stud to have a Group One horse. I thought he ran very well in the Champion Stakes last year. He ran better than I thought. He may be better at a mile and a half, but he's certainly a pretty good horse at a mile and a quarter and he's proved that today."
O'Brien said of Magical: "She ran very well. I'm very happy with the filly and she ran well. She might come back for the King George or maybe the Eclipse."
Fabre said: "It was a good run and he might come back for the King George. I was not concerned about the ground, as he has won on soft ground before."
Sea Of Class was ridden by James Doyle, who said: "She clearly disliked really deep ground like it is out there today. Trying to take the positives, the filly felt great and she travelled really well, we were just a bit too far back. The main thing is it was nice to get a run in and start her off."
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