Meydan’s big day began with the Group 1 Kahayla Classic, the Purebred Arabian equivalent of the Dubai World Cup, over the same 2,000 metres dirt course and distance and won by Sheikh Hamdan’s Manark.

– Prince Bishop wins Dubai World Cup from favourite California Chrome
– #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
– INTERVIEW: James Doyle riding for Godolphin on the crest of a wave

Dane O’Neill had the ride, while delighted trainer Erwan Charpy said: “I have gone close before in this but it is great to win it.”

Having only his third World Cup card mount, O’Neill was riding a first big night winner and providing Sheikh Hamdan with a sixth win in the race, but first since 2007.

“I was allowed to set a steady gallop,” said O’Neill. “That really suited as he needed to prove his stamina. He then quickened and won well.”

Sheikh Hamdan was soon celebrating a double, this time with Paul Hanagan performing the steering aboard Tamarkuz, successful in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile and registering a fourth consecutive 1,600m dirt victory in the process.

Hanagan, who also won the race for Sheikh Hamdan in 2013 with Soft Falling Rain, said: “This horse is tough and keeps on improving.”

Brown Panther, bred and part-owned by ex-England footballer Michael Owen, was far too good for his 13 rivals in the first of the four turf races, the 3,200m Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.

Trained by Tom Dascombe, he was never far off the pace under Richard Kingscote who sent him for home when Mushreq’s attempt to make all faltered at the top of the straight.

A delighted Owen, who had ensured his television commitments would not prevent him from being on course to witness the win, said: “It is just amazing. This has been his target since his big win in Ireland last year. Tom has done great job training him and Richard gets on so well with the horse.”

The fact Belgian Christophe Soumillon was prepared to waste to get down to the 55kgs weight to be carried by the Mike De Kock-trained Mubtaahij in the Group 2 UAE Derby always looked significant and so it proved.

The pair stormed clear to post a sixth in the race for the trainer and second for the jockey. “I was always happy,” said Soumillon. “He was far too good.”