York's mid-summer highlight, the International Stakes, truly lived up to its name yesterday when Italian raider Electrocutionist (9-2) edged out Japanese champion Zenno Rob Roy (4-1) by a neck.
Third place in the seven-strong field went to English trained Maraahel (8-1), ahead of Irish challenger Ace, the 9-4 favourite.
In a thrilling finish, Electrocutionist, ridden by 46-year-old Mick Kinane, came storming up the stands side to notch up the colt's sixth victory in seven races but a first abroad on his first race outside Italy.
The colt has been staying at the Newmarket stables of Luca Cumani.
Fast-improving, Electrocutionist, trained by Valfredo Valiani, could be now be headed for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris early in October and the Breeders' Cup in the US at the end of the same month.
There was no disgrace in defeat for runner-up Zenno Rob Roy, whose career earnings top $5 million.
Ridden by top Japanese jockey Yutaka Take, the five-year-old has also been staying in Newmarket, at the stables of Geoff Wragg.
Godolphin's Doyen, who had every chance at the top of straight, failed to to make an impression on the leaders and came in sixth of the seven runners in the extended 10-furlong contest.
The five-year-old raced prominently from the start and soon occupied second place as Ace took them along.
Kerrin McEvoy asked his mount to stretch three and a half furlongs out but Doyen find no more and weakened, being beaten nearly 13 lengths by the winner.
Godolphin's Simon Crisford commented: "That was another disappointing effort and Doyen does not seem to be enjoying himself so much anymore but let's not forget how brilliant he was last year."
In 2004 Doyen won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot by six lengths in record time and then added the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Newbury.
Earlier in the afternoon, Hard Top came with a late run to deny The Geezer in the Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2), while veteran Millenary rolled back the years to win the Lonsdale Cup (Group 2). Godolphin's Songlark was third.
