Zoffany is the new 10-1 favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas after coming late and fast to land the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Aidan O'Brien's youngster looked to have it to do entering the final furlong in the Group One contest as he arrived on the heels of the Strong Suit and Glor Na Mara with little room for manoeuvre.
But a split appeared at just the right time and Johnny Murtagh drove him through the gap to grab the prize by half a length in the shadows of the post.
O'Brien said: "He went to Ascot (when sixth behind Strong Suit in the Coventry Stakes) as a baby and it all happened a little bit too fast for him. We stepped him up in trip so things would happen a bit slower.
"The plan was to get him relaxed and Johnny was very cool on him and gave him a great ride.
"He's getting heavier all of the time and he's a lot stronger and more mature now. As long as he keeps putting on weight we'll keep going with him.
"We'll take it one step at a time but the National Stakes (Curragh, September 11) looks a likely option."
Strong Suit, sent off the 4-9 favoruite, could finish only third and is out to 12-1 for the Guineas having been 6-1 clear favourite before today's contest
