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Knife Edge held on gamely to give trainer Marco Botti a second success in the German 2000 Guineas at Cologne on Monday.
The Newmarket handler struck with Excelebration in 2011 and Knife Edge got on the roll of honour with a gutsy display.
Ryan Moore sent the Zoffany colt to the front from the stalls and Knife Edge, who had the benefit of two runs on the all-weather last month, proved up to the task.
Markus Klug's course-and-distance winner Degas put up a strong challenge, but Knife Edge would not be denied and got a narrow verdict to take the honours for owners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
"It was quite a tight finish, but obviously Ryan gave him a great ride," said Botti.
"He ended up making the running. There wasn't much pace and he probably just idled a little bit in front and once the runner-up came to him, he found a little bit more and kept on.
"He's entered in the St James's Palace (at Royal Ascot). We need to speak to the team and see what they want to do next.
"This was one of the main targets. After he ran in the Greenham at Chelmsford, we said we would aim him at the German Guineas and we've got it done."
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