Despite getting shuffled back behind a wall of horses in Sunday’s Hong Kong Vase (G1), Giavellotto burst through a gap and flew to a new career high at Sha Tin.

Godolphin’s homebred Rebel’s Romance made Breeders’ Cup history at Del Mar on Saturday, becoming the first two-time winner of the Turf (G1) in non-consecutive years.

The William Haggas-trained Economics added to his burgeoning profile by dethroning Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion (G1), one of three Breeders’ Cup Challenge races at Leopardstown on Saturday.

French shipper Goliath delivered by far the best performance of his career to stun Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Ascot as a 25-1 longshot, booking his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

Forever Young, Remake, Spirit Dancer, Tower of London, and Annaf won on the Saudi Cup undercard.

On Saturday’s Irish Champions Festival kickoff, classic-winning sophomores Auguste Rodin and Tahiyra raced into the Breeders’ Cup picture by defeating older horses in a pair of “Win and You’re In” contests.

With a star-studded field assembled at Ascot on Saturday, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) promised to be the race of the season so far – and likely one of the finest editions in the race’s richly embroidered history. A titanic tussle down the straight only enhanced the idea.

The feature event on Day 2 of Royal Ascot produced a surprising upset as 12-1 longshot Mostahdaf beat a bevy of top-level winners in the Prince of Wales’s (G1).

Alpinista extended her winning streak to eight in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), driving through the very soft going to defeat Vadeni and defending champion Torquator Tasso at ParisLongchamp.

The marquee event among six Group 1s for Thoroughbreds at ParisLongchamp, the Arc is one of five Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races on the superb card.

The trainer/jockey tandem of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore won two of the three Breeders’ Cup Challenge events on Saturday’s opening day of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown.

The eponymous centerpiece of Irish Champions Weekend, the Irish Champion offers a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Champions Juvenile and Matron serve as “Win and You’re In” races for the Juvenile Turf and Filly & Mare Turf, respectively.