A top-class Ascot Champions Day was everything it promised to be, featuring six World Pool races, four of which were Group 1 contests.

There were a number of sparkling performances on the day, including from Kyprios in the Long Distance Cup, Charyn in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Kalpana in the Fillies & Mares.

ANMAAT sprung a surprise to emerge victorious in the Group 1 Champion Stakes under jockey Jim Crowley, who produced a fine ride to navigate his mount through traffic, delivering the Shadwell horse to perfection at the line.

A dual Group 3 winner in the UK and Group 1 winner in France, the six-year-old gelding had been a great servant to trainer Owen Burrows and connections, with this victory over a plethora of stars from the UK, Ireland and France undoubtedly his finest day yet.

In an enthralling finish he rattled past French challenger Calandagan to land the spoils, and there was no performance more deserving of the World Pool Moment of the Day prize.

After the race, groom of Anmaat, Frankie McDonald, picked up the Moment of the Day winner’s cheque for £4,000.

"I was watching the race on the big screen, and I saw he got into trouble two furlongs out, but it was his big heart that got him out of trouble today. He is so brave; he has the heart of a lion."

McDonald had a word too for Anmaat's owner, head of Shadwell, Sheikha Hissa: "Sheikha Hissa loves all her horses, but she came to the yard recently and her eyes just lit up when she saw him, he’s the yard favourite."

McDonald will now have the chance of winning a VIP trip to Hong Kong if Anmaat’s success is chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Year.