Declaration Of War (15/2) for Aidan O'Brien won the opening Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot as the favourite Animal Kingdom failed to get involved in the Group 1 contest.
Joseph O'Brien had trouble in running on the winner and had to wait for a gap to emerge in the runners in front of him but got to the lead with relative ease in the end.
Roger Varian's Aljamaaheer (8/1) and John Gosden's Gregorian (16/1) finished second and third.
Bookmakers had been keen to lay Animal Kingdom immediately before the race and his price drifted from even money out to 11/8. He ran keenly early on and then faded quickly as the pace quickened.
Speaking to Channel 4 Racing after the race trainer Graham Motion suggested Animal Kingdom would now be retired.
Winning trainer O'Brien explained his charge had progressed well after the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (when fifth) and he was delighted with the victory.
Sole Power (8/1) blasted his way to victory in the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs, beating South African raider Shea Shea (11/4f) by a neck. It was a late, devastating burst of speed from Sole Power in the final furlong that saw him overhaul the favourite, who was well clear in his 'race' of the runners on the far side of the track.
The St James's Palace Stakes went to a photo between Dawn Approach (5/4f) and Toronado (5/1) after the two rivals had an epic battle down the home straight. Dawn Approach prevailed by just a nose from Richard Hannon's colt.
Just as in the Epsom Derby, Dawn Approach pulled hard again in the early stages but Kevin Manning managed to get him under control this time and he battled hard to see off Toronado. There was some serious bumping and interference in the last furlong which affected both horses and Richard Hughes might have felt his horse would have won without it.
Speaking afterwards Sheikh Mohammed said Dawn Approach's win confirmed for him that he is the best mile horse in the world. Trainer Jim Bolger said he knew his colt would not let him down on this occasion.
Aidan O'Brien was victorious again when War Command (20/1) won the Coventry Stakes by a comfortable six length margin from Parbold (16/1) and Sir John Hawkins (6/1). War Command looked to be the stable's third choice of its three runners, at least by betting, but belied his odds to win impressively.
Well Sharp (9/1) denied Lady Cecil's Tiger Cliff (4/1f) a win in the Ascot Stakes. The victory gave Jonjo O'Neill, a trainer more known for his jumps successes, his second Royal Ascot winner.
Johnny Murtagh completed 152/1 double when Extortionist (16/1) won the closing Windsor Castle Stakes, following up on his win earlier aboard Sole Power.
It was a good day for the Irish.
