Johannesburg is now set to take on the best America has to offer after adding a British Group One triumph to wins at the top level in Ireland and France.
He looked Europe's champion two-year-old colt elect as he cruised home in the Middle Park Stakes to ensure normal service resumed for Aidan O'Brien at Newmarket.
O'Brien had suffered a rare blank day on Tuesday, when well-fancied juveniles Black Sam Bellamy, Landseer and Sophisticat were all beaten on the first day of the Cambridgeshire meeting.
But Johannesburg never looked likely to let down those who backed him into 30 to 100 favourite and in the process almost certainly ensured O'Brien - collecting a 17th Group One win of the year - will be the first overseas trainer to land the British championship since 1977.
The colt who had lifted the Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown and the Prix Morny at Deauville previously was always travelling sweetly behind pace-making stable-companion Line Rider.
He was eased to the front over a furlong out by Mick Kinane and soon burst well clear, passing the post three lengths ahead of runner-up Zipping, with Doc Holliday the same distance back in third.
O'Brien, who also took the six-furlong contest with Minardi last year, is now eyeing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on dirt at Belmont Park three weeks tomorrow for the colt.
"We thought from a long way back he could be a Juvenile horse and we have a few others for the Dewhurst," the trainer said.
"He has a dirt pedigree so we hope that won't be a problem - you can never be sure but I hope he'd handle the surface. He is a very smart horse, he is very fast and he quickens really well."
Kinane added: "He is very talented and he hasn't been stretched yet. He has a great temperament and great pace - he's an exceptional horse."
O'Brien played down fears that it will be hard to keep Johannesburg on song after a long campaign which saw him launch his career with victory in a maiden at Fairyhouse back in May.
"He is a very forward, mature horse and very easy to train and that makes it much easier," he said.
Johannesburg is quoted at 5 to 1 for the Juvenile by Coral Eurobet, who make him 6 to 1 joint second favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas back at Newmarket along with National Stakes-winning stable-companion Hawk Wing.
Yesterday's £87,000 first prize put O'Brien around £900,000 clear at the top of the trainers' table and he admitted clinching the title would be a tremendous result for his stable.
"It would be great for everyone at Ballydoyle," he said. "Everyone works so hard every day and it would be great satisfaction for everyone - I am just a small part of the team."
Stephen Quirke, one of Ireland's leading trainers in the 60s, 70s and 80s, died suddenly on Tuesday. He was 68. Stephen succeeded his father, Martin (who rode nine Irish Classic winners), at Mountjoy Lodge stables in 1962 and sent out three Irish Classic winners in Atherstone Wood (1967 2,000 Guineas), Mistigo (1968 2,000 Guineas) and Parnell (1971 St Leger) as well as many big race winners, including the Phoenix 2-y-o Stakes (the 1500) with Noble Mark (1973) and Fatima's Gift (1967).
He went on to join the Turf Club and was its Senior Starter for many years. He is survived by his wife, Gillian, and daughters Suzy and Tara. Funeral mass is at St Brigid's Church, Kildare, tomorrow (11 a.m.).
