Real Pro Mick

Mick Kinane gained a glorious victory in the £300,000 Sussex Stakes at rain-lashed Goodwood.

Proclamation (3-1), expertly ridden by veteran Kinane, beat fellow Irishman Johnny Murtagh on wonder filly Soviet Song (2-1 favourite) by half a length.

On a gloomy day Kinane's brilliance shone like a beacon. He simply rode his rivals to sleep, coming from last to first for a spectacular win.

And it was Kinane's second Group 1 triumph in five days.

At Newbury on Saturday he was superb on King George VI hero Azamour. This time he was even better.

At the top of the hill Kinane was last on Proclamation but when he made his move he cunningly held Soviet Song in just as she was set to challenge.

When she got out she flew home - but it was too late.

On soft ground Murtagh should have realised Soviet Song's blistering acceleration would be blunted.

To be outfoxed by Kinane so far from home was a basic error.

But Soviet Song's trainer James Fanshawe took the defeat well.

He said: "These things happen with a hold-up horse. She is still the queen but Proclamation is king for today. On the holding ground Soviet Song could not quicken so well. But she has still run a hell of a race."

But the day belonged to a mud-splattered Kinane, who smiled: "I wanted to play my cards last but I got the chance to keep Johnny in a bit on Soviet Song. It all worked out well."

Winning trainer Jeremy Noseda said: "I thought he was a good thing for the Derby but when he was beaten in the Dante Frankie Dettori begged me to put him back to a mile. Mick gave him a brilliant ride today."