French colt Xaar rocketed to the head of next year's 2,000 Guineas betting with an electrifying victory that lit up "Champions day" at Newmarket on Saturday. He produced the outstanding performance on a day of highlights by claiming the Thoroughbred Corporation Dewhurst Stakes by a stunning seven lengths.
Bookmakers cut Xaar's Classic odds to as low as even-money after he destroyed his rivals in the season's most important two-year-old race.
He was the first of three champions to be crowned. He took the juvenile title while Pilsudski took the Dubai Champion Stakes and all but ensured the trainers' championship for Michael Stoute.
Pilsudski marked his last appearance in Britain with a two-length victory over Loup Souvage that thwarted a Group One double for Xaar's trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Olivier Peslier.
But Xaar earned the most plaudits as he emulated his sire Zafonic, the 1992 Dewhurst winner who went on to land the 2,000 Guineas the following year.
"He was certainly more impressive than Zafonic was because he was much more laid back. He looked under pressure for a moment but he was actually looking for a gap," said Fabre.
"I plan to bring him straight here for the Guineas because I want to leave something in the tank for the rest of the season and I would like to try him in the Epsom Derby."
Peslier was riding his 11th Group One winner of the year, the success coming hard on the heels of Peintre Celebre's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory. "To ride two superstars in one season is not too bad," he commented.
Xaar, available at 7 to 1 before the victory, is evens favourite for the Guineas with William Hill and the Tote, 5 to 4 with Ladbrokes and 6 to 4 with Coral. Second Empire is next best at 5 to 1. Xaar is a 6 to 1 chance for the Derby.
Daggers Drawn was the major disappointment and beat just one home. He was reckoned to have gone "over the top", by trainer Henry Cecil.
Pilsudski will be recognised as one of the toughest campaigners as he bounced back from Arc defeat to add the Champion Stakes to his haul of big races.
He was coolly ridden by Michael Kinane to get the better of his French rival in the final furlong, with Bahhare taking third place. Derby winner Benny The Dip finished sixth.
"This is a champion horse. He is the most admirable horse and has a wonderful constitution to come back from the Arc," said Stoute.
"That race did not really go to plan and he has indicated today the sort of acceleration that he has got.
"Among the older horses you cannot separate Pilsudski and Singspiel - they have just been wonderful horses.
"It's always nice to win the trainers' championship but racing is so international now that you can't really focus on it."
Kinane added: "There are very few horses you get on knowing you are guaranteed a performance. He's done everything in all conditions and trip, he's a champion."
Pilsudski will now be prepared for the Japan Cup in five weeks time and will remain in the Far East to begin a new career as a stallion.
Desert Beauty completed a double for Stoute in the Pilsudski colours of Lord Weinstock when taking the NGK Spark Plugs Handicap.
