In a contest run at a steady pace for much of the way, Kingman had one or two unexpected problems but found an electric burst of speed in the closing stages to sprint past his illustrious rival and score by a length.

Aidan O’Brien’s Darwin was only a head behind in third, followed by Outstrip.

The feeling that Richard Hughes would try to dictate on Toronado and kick clear at the right moment was soon dismissed as Darwin and Joseph O’Brien led at a fairly pedestrian gallop.

Last early on, Kingman moved into third but this was his first time at Goodwood and neither the undulations nor the camber suited him.

Toronado took quite a while to master Darwin and never quite shook him off but then, just as it seemed a major surprise might be on the cards, Kingman found himself on much flatter terrain and produced a truly magnificent burst for James Doyle which carried him past the pair inside the final furlong.

He needed a smack to go about his business but this is not his track and he still looks one of the very best milers of recent years.

The two principals were further apart in the betting than many expected. Kingman was very short indeed at 2/5 while Toronado was available at 11/4 on the off.

He was conceding 8lb, of course, and did very well against a classic winner, even if it took him a long while to master Darwin. O’Brien rode a canny race on the latter, who is best at just short of a mile and has an entry in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The packed stands erupted as Kingman found top gear - one time expert had him travelling at around 46mph in the final furlong - and this was one of those times when ordinary racegoers enjoyed the spectacle more than those closest to the horses, though Doyle is certain he rides a superstar.

“That’s what separates him from the others,” he said. “He’s so versatile and has all the attributes to get you out of trouble. He’s got a wonderful turn of foot. I thought we’d go steady but not for as long as that. I was slightly concerned when they quickened up but not for long. To go to top speed in five strides is pretty exciting.”

Harry Herbert, who acts as racing manager to Al Shaqab Racing, owners of Toronado, was realistic in defeat.

“The race was always going to be a muddling affair,” he said.

“The way it panned out was probably the only way we could beat Kingman but as soon as he hit the flat ground we were done for. There’s not a whole lot of options but he’s a wonderful horse and I don’t think he lost anything in defeat.”

It is turning into another outstanding campaign for Kingman’s trainer John Gosden, who was winning his second Group 1 race in five days following Taghrooda’s success in the King George.

“Actually Kingman has the class to do it under hands and heels,” he said.

“I’m reminded that I entered him for the July Cup over six furlongs and if the truth be known he’d have won it. His balance got him there on this track.

“It’s tricky, it tests your ability to switch legs and be nifty. The ground was fine for him and he goes on anything. The Jacques Le Marois comes a bit quickly on August 17th and he may go straight for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which has always been the big, big target.”

Richard Hughes, patiently waiting for his luck to change at a course which has given him so many happy memories, was in no doubt about Kingman’s star quality.

“I knew he was brilliant, the way he went past me at Ascot,” he said. “I got first run on him again off a slower pace but he’s still beaten me.”