King of Steel has been a top class three year-old colt in the UK this year finishing second in the Group I Epsom Derby and third in the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the son of Wootton Basset (GB) got his just rewards when capturing the Group I Qipco Champions Stakes (1m2f) at Ascot on Saturday for Frankie Dettori in his final UK ride.
The Roger Varian trained colt was a last start fourth in the Group I Irish Champions Stakes to Auguste Rodin, who also beat him in the Epsom Derby, but soared to a new career best when overhauling Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina to win by three-quarters of a length.
King of Steel was no fan of the wet ground, but was still able to give Frankie Dettori the fairytale end to an amazing career as the best jockey of his generation.
"I don't know what to feel," Dettori said.
"Is this real? I struggled from the beginning. He was stumbling but then he started to come good. When they kicked they left me a little bit but he found a second wind, dug deep and the crowd got him over the line.
"It's a fairytale ending for me; Ascot is my home and I'm pretty emotional to be honest."
"It was a tough watch but it was a tough performance and he got a very good ride," said Varian.
"He's got a big engine, a big set of lungs and a big heart. It was a big effort."
King of Steel may possibly go to the Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita next month where he could re-unite with Dettori and he could be kept in training at four, although decisions on his future will be made in coming days.
Bred by Bonne Chance Farm, he was foaled in the US and bought for $200,000 by Amo Racing at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
With three wins and two placings from seven starts, King of Steel is the best of two winners from Eldacar, a winning Verglas mare from the family of two time Australian Group I winner Contributer (IRE), now standing at stud in New Zealand.
King of Steel is the eighth Group I winner for Wootton Bassett, who will have his first Australian yearlings at the sales next year and stands at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $93,500.
