It was Mamool's first Group One success

The four-year-old Yorkshire Cup winner emulated former stablemate Marienbard, who stepped down in distance to take last year's race before going on to land the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Marienbard settled in fourth place as Michael Kinane made the running on Black Sam Bellamy, chased by Mark Johnston's Systematic and locally-trained favourite Next Desert.

The field swung wide into the final straight where Kinane set sail for home as Systematic weakened.

I tried to get the best ground and find a good rhythm as I knew that Black Sam Bellamy wouldn't stop Frankie Dettori Profile: Frankie Dettori

But just as it looked as though Black Sam Bellamy was going to out-gallop his rivals, Dettori produced Mamool with a well-timed challenge.

Mamool soon got on top but had to be kept right up to his work to hold the rallying Black Sam Bellamy and provide Godolphin with their 101st success at the highest level.

Dettori, who performed his trademark flying dismount, admitted he was surprised to have won the race.

"I got a phone call from Sheikh Mohammed, who is with Simon Crisford in Keeneland, just before the race to tell me to stay close to the pace. That is what I did and it all went to plan," said the Italian jockey.

"I was a little bit surprised that we won here. I thought we had a chance but I knew that he had to run his best race if we wanted to win. That is what he did.

"I tried to get the best ground and find a good rhythm as I knew that Black Sam Bellamy wouldn't stop.

"His ultimate distance would be a mile and six. The slow ground here compensated for the distance."

Dettori suggested that Mamool could now be aimed at the Melbourne Cup while the horse was given a quote of 25-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Current World Series standings

The Grosser Bugatti Preis was the latest leg in the World Series, which is a global championship for Flat horses.

Grosser Bugatti Preis (Group One)
1m 4f, Baden-Baden (Germany)