Item caused an almighty shock on the Knavesmire as it beat the favourites Ombudsman and Constitution River to win the Juddmonte International.
The pre-race discourse suggested it was going to be a two-horse duel between Ombudsman and Constitution River, but Item and Almaqam didn't read the script as the pair finished stronger of the leading quartet.
Almaqam appeared to have the victory in the bag, but Item - the son of 2012 International winner Frankel - appeared from nowhere to snatch victory on the line in York's most prestigious race.
Only once in six starts had Constitution River tasted defeat and that was only by a short head on debut at Newmarket as a two-year-old, while Ombudsman had won nine of his 12 career starts, of which four were at the highest level as the world’s highest-rated middle-distance horse.
Both had no answer to the top two, as Constitution River succumbed to third and Ombudsman trailed in fourth.
The field reduced to eight as Pride of Arras was withdrawn just before entering the stalls, Ombudsman set off as the 5/6 favourite with Constitution River trading at 7/4, while Item was priced at 11/1.
Item boasted an unbeaten York record which Andrew Balding’s Dante hero extended in the York Stakes last month, banishing the disappointment of a forgetful Derby performance.
With all eyes on Ombudsman and Constitution River, Item and Colin Keane certainly gatecrashed the party to prevail in the £1.5 million event.
Ombudsman's trainer John Gosden conceded his charge didn't like the soft ground and bemoaned the decision to water the ground at York when rain had fell this morning.
On the going, Gosden said: "It's gone very much on the soft side. Jockeys are coming in saying good to soft to soft."
