The Charlie Hills-trained Khaadem successfully defended his Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes crown when getting the better of Swingalong at Royal Ascot on Saturday.
Charlie Hills' sprinter ensured he would make it back-to-back victories in the Saturday feature when coming home clear from Swingalong to claim the six-furlong prize in the hands of Oisin Murphy.
As expected, last year's shock 80/1 winner was held up towards the rear of the thirteen-strong field, but with the pace strong up front, jockey Oisin Murphy looked to have few doubts as Charlie Hills' eight-year-old found himself travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders with two furlongs to travel.
Murphy nursed his mount to the head of affairs with 100 yards to travel and that's where he'd remain, with the front-running Swingalong finishing half a length behind in second.
Mill Stream battled on well to finish back in third, George Boughey's 3/1 market leader Believing finishing one spot further back - the same position he occupied in the King Charles III Stakes just four days ago.
Success would see Khaadem become the first horse to successfully defend his crown since Right Boy landed the prize in 1959.
"What a horse," said Hills. "Two win one of these plus a Palace House, a Stewards' Cup and a King George at Goodwood.
"He got a fantastic ride there, off the pace, and he never looked like he was going to get beat.
"He loves this track; I think it's the first time he's had his ground since he won this last year. I think fast ground is key to him.
"He had a lovely pitch; they went a strong pace in front, and he travels for fun. He's such a versatile horse, to think he was making the running over five (furlongs) two years ago.
"We then decided on a change of tack, ride him like a good horse over six and it seems to suit him really well."
Murphy, who was enjoying his fourth winner of the week, said: "He came alive as they slowed down, he was always going to win because he was the only one finishing, wasn't he?
"I didn't expect the race to happen how it did – I jumped better than he normally gets away, there were four of us in a line and none of us intended laying up with the front group and there was a bit of a scrum and the group to our right was five lengths in front of us.
"Fortunately, I didn't rush up to them because there was no pressure, and as they slowed down, I crept. Listen, the horse loves Ascot and he was well prepared. It was a pretty easy ride."
Paddy Power cut the winner to 14/1 (from 33s) for the July Cup Stakes at Newmarket next month.
