Australian sprinter Nature Strip was labelled a "freak of a horse" after making the long journey worthwhile by winning the Group One King's Stand Stakes on the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting on Tuesday.
The Chris Waller-trained star's sublime performance took place with the meeting's most notable supporter Queen Elizabeth II absent.
As she watched on television from Windsor Castle, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla stood in.
It was the first Royal Ascot since 2019 to greet a full house made up largely of top-hatted and tail-coated men and women dressed in the latest fashion, after two years of crowd restrictions due to Covid.
Nature Strip was only Waller's second runner at the meeting -- Brazen Beau finished second in the 2015 Platinum Jubilee Stakes -- but he never gave his jockey James McDonald a moment's concern.
"He's an absolute freak of a horse," said McDonald.
"I thought how has one come with him. I didn't know it was a loose horse. That riderless horse (Khadeem) gave me a little fright!"
Waller was delighted he had confirmed he deserved to be rated among the best horses in the world.
"It means a lot," said Waller.
"We don't get the opportunity very often to come here and take on the English, Irish, French, Americans and even Dubai and Hong Kong runners.
"To therefore bring a horse here and not only run, but win is very special. It was breathtaking."
Waller said he would decide later in the week if Nature Strip would run in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, although he already has Home Affairs in it.
