The three-year-old colt's victory equals the record of Mill Reef, who took six consecutive wins in Group One races in 1971-2.

The horse, co-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, produced a superlative sprint over the final 200 yards to win by three lengths.

In second place was last year's winner Noverre with Reel Buddy in third.

The early pace had been set by Rock of Gibraltar's stablemate Sahara Desert, who led by as much as four lengths at the halfway stage.

But Rock of Gibraltar, ridden by Michael Kinane, tucked in confidently at the back of the pack, apparently certain that a kick during the final furlong would be enough.

And so it proved, with the horse, trained by Aidan O'Brien, leaving the four other horses behind and in a hurry.

Kinane was full of praise for Rock of Gibraltar, calling him "the ultimate racehorse".

"He was just full of himself and so happy to be here. It is very hard to find that quality in horses, he loves to come and do his work."

Rock of Gibraltar had already taken the English and Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James's St Palace Stakes in three starts this season.

Those triumphs followed on from ending his juvenile campaign with Group One wins in Longchamp's Grand Criterium and the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

The �265,000 race featured just five competitors, with Shoal Creek, one of three horses declared by trainer O'Brien, pulling out.

No fixed plan

O'Brien, whose yard is currently afflicted by a bout of coughing, said plans for Rock of Gibraltar were uncertain.

"He is entered in two races at York - over a mile and a quarter (the Juddmonte International Stakes) and over five furlongs (the Nunthorpe Stakes).

"He is an unusual kind of horse, with enough speed to run at that short a trip.

"But with things as they are, we are just taking it a day at a time." In other races on Wednesday, 7-2 favourite Hugs Dancer took the Goodwood Stakes while 11-1 outsider Dublin won the Vintage Stakes.

Another outsider, 12-1 shot Dawn Invasion, took the Tote Gold Trophy Stakes.

Favourite Mamounia won the Fillies Rated Stakes while Judhoor took the Maiden Fillies Stakes.

And Zuhair ended the day by winning the Charlton Handicap for the fourth successive year .