Zafeen, an 8-1 chance trained by ex-England soccer player Mick Channon, landed the Group One St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
It was the eighth success at the Royal meeting for Channon dating back to 1993 when Great Deeds won the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Zafeen had been an unlucky runner-up in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and then ran inexplicably poorly in the Irish equivalent, prompting the colt's owners to replace jockey Steve Drowne.
Darryll Holland took the mount today, scorched into the lead two furlongs from home and held off the fast-finishing Kalaman, the 5-2 favourite ridden by Johnny Murtagh, by a length. C
France had set out to make the running at a good pace tracked by Indian Haven and Monsieur Bond, with Kalaman racing in mid-division, with Zafeen to his outside.
As the field turned for home the early leaders began to cry enough as Clodovil moved up to challenge, but Zafeen came fast and wide and, producing a good turn of foot at the two-furlong pole, settled the issue.
Kalaman encountered trouble in running at a crucial stage but stayed on gamely without being able to land a blow at Zafeen.
A stewards' inquiry was called, but it did not affect the winner.