Godolphin turned the tables on Coolmore yesterday as Sakhee emerged from the shadows to put up a "breathtaking" display in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York yesterday.

His Dubai-based owners have generally been playing second fiddle to their big Irish rivals this season, most notably when standard-bearer Fantastic Light was put firmly in his place by Galileo in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.

But Sakhee, a forgotten horse since he finished second in last year's Derby, signalled an upturn in fortunes for "the boys in blue" with an awesome performance in the £450,000 International - and in turn boosted hopes for the rematch with Galileo next month.

Punters had complete confidence in the four-year-old, who was sent off 7 to 4 favourite despite having been restricted by a knee injury to just one outing in over a year, and so did Frankie Dettori who sent him to the front well over three furlongs out in the mile-and-a-quarter event.

And their faith proved fully justified as Sakhee burst clear, soon had the race in safe keeping and romped past the post seven lengths ahead of runner-up Grandera, a winning margin beaten only by Royal Anthem two years ago in 29 runnings of the race.

Michael Stoute, second with Greek Dance and Kalanisi in the last two years, had to settle for third with Medicean, while Coolmore's dual Group One-winning Black Minnaloushe was well held in fourth.

Galileo's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, was not despondent at the defeat of Black Minnaloushe.

"Frankie sat second, quickened well and was very impressive today," he said." Black Minnaloushe had to come on the outside and saw too much daylight - he has run a good race."

Meanwhile, Milan raced into serious contention for next month's St Leger with a convincing performance under Michael Kinane in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt dashed into the lead approaching the final quarter mile and, keeping up the gallop in dour fashion, had one and a half lengths to spare over Storming Home at the line.

He is now best priced at 5 to 1 for the Doncaster Classic with Hills, while the Tote make him clear favourite at 3 to 1 from 12 to 1. Coral make him joint favourite at 7 to 2 with Storming Home's stable companion Mr Combustible. Ladbrokes go 9 to 2, as do Paddy Power. O'Brien was understandably delighted with the performance: "He did it very well, Michael was very pleased with him. We felt that the French Derby and the Ascot race happened a bit quick so we gave him a break. He was working a very fresh happy horse at home so we were hopeful." Nayef's participation in next month's St Leger remained up in the air yesterday.

Asked whether connections were any closer to a decision on whether to supplement the one-time "wonder horse" to the season's final Classic, trainer Marcus Tregoning said: "I'd love to say we were but we're not."