Ethical Diamond came with a stunning late run to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in a course record for Grand National-winning trainer Willie Mullins.
The 20-1 chance, who spent most of his early career jumping over hurdles, surged down the outside under Dylan Browne McMonagle to claim one of Flat racing’s biggest races, with more than £2m going to the winner at Del Mar in California.
Ethical Diamond, winner of the Ebor Handicap at York in August, triumphed from runner-up Rebel’s Romance and third-placed El Cordobes, with favourite Minnie Hauk unplaced.
It is the latest landmark in the remarkable career of Mullins, better known as a jump racing trainer who won the National with Nick Rockett in April.
“This might come second best to winning the Grand National with my son Patrick on board. I couldn’t believe it,” said Mullins, 69.
Newly crowned Irish champion jockey McMonagle, 22, said: “It’s an unbelievable training performance. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.”
Owners, the HOS Syndicate, have hopes of a big-race double with Absurde running in the Melbourne Cup for Mullins on Tuesday (04:00 GMT).