The Goffs Million Mile was won by English raider Shakespearean from the Mark Johnston stable at odds of 3/1 under Joe Fanning for owner Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Fanning was soon in front on the Shamardai colt, the pair were joined from over three furlongs out but under a strong drive by Fanning the pair kept on to hold off the challenge of Marfach by a short head.

Winning trainer Johnston said afterwards: “I was sure he would have been more fancied as he’s the one that’s gone on and done it in Group 1 company and I thought he was the one to beat.”

“I was just praying the line would come. Joe said he had to get at him all the way.”

“I just won the Group race in Germany by a whisker so it’s probably the best five minutes I’ve ever had.”