Frankie Dettori rode the first four winners at Royal Ascot to leave bookmakers reeling but they were spared a pay-out to eclipse even his Magnificent Seven.
It looked as though the super six was firmly on as he booted John Gosden's Turgenev clear two furlongs out in race five, the Britannia Stakes, only to be cut down in the final 50 yards by the withering late run of Biometric.
It was a result that left the bookmakers breathing a massive sigh of relief.
The winner was having just his fourth run and was winning for the third time - providing the layers with huge respite given Turgenev was available at 20-1 in some places this morning and returned 7-2.
Dettori said: "20 years ago I would have won that! He was 16-1 this morning, went off favourite and he gave me a great spin. I've had a good day so I'm not going to cry."
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His final ride, Questionaire, finished 14th in the closing King George V Stakes.
Sky Bet's Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "After the first four races we were looking down the barrel of the worst day in Sky Bet history. The final furlong of the Britannia when Biometric reeled in Turgenev represented the biggest swing in recent memory for the bookmaking industry.
"Despite the final two results going our way it has still been very much a day for the punters and many of them go into tomorrow with plenty of money in their accounts".
The hugely-popular Italian kicked off his day with Al'Ali in the Norfolk Stakes for Simon Crisford, before winning the Hampton Court aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Sangarius and the Ribblesdale Stakes with John Gosden's Star Catcher.
It was then all eyes on the Gold Cup, where Dettori again emerged victorious through Gosden's defending champion Stradivarius.
With two races left to be run, bookmakers were quaking with memories of Dettori's 'Magnificent Seven', when he went through the card to win all seven races at Ascot in September 1996, very much to the fore.
Gosden said: "This 47-year-old kid (Dettori) take this to another level, like a Wimbledon semi-final and final. He's riding quite beautifully. He occasionally listens to me, but not too much."
In winning his seventh successive race, Stradivarius created his own little piece of history - although those who took the even money had a little anxious moment early in the straight.
For once Dettori appeared to be in the wrong place as he was stuck behind horses, with Dee Ex Bee still in front alongside Master Of Reality, but as soon as a gap appeared the chestnut was through it like a shot. Dee Ex Bee battled back for second, just pipping Master Of Reality.
"What a horse, he got me out of trouble," said Dettori. "He's the horse for the big occasion and people love him. It's great for everyone connected with the horse - every time he runs he delivers."
Asked if he could go through the card, he replied: "I did it in 1996, so you never know."
Individual race reports
Stradivarius defends Gold Cup crown
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