Idaho stepped out of the long shadow cast by his illustrious brother Highland Reel to win Saturday's Group II Hardwicke Stakes (1m3f211yds) at Royal Ascot.
Placed behind Harzand in the Epsom and Irish Derbies last year, Idaho is yet to match the six Group I wins of Highland Reel but can claim Hardwicke bragging rights over his older sibling, who finished runner-up to Dartmouth in the race last year.
Ridden on the speed by Seamie Heffernan, Idaho (9/2) was poised to challenge into the home straight and then gradually asserted his superiority, mastering Dartmouth and edging clear one furlong out, holding out
The win ensured leading training honours at the Royal meeting for Aidan O'Brien, who told Racing UK he was expecting a better effort following Idaho's disappointing run in the Group I Coronation Cup at Epsom last time out.
"It was his first run of the year in the Coronation Cup. He only arrived at the track an hour before and he was very upset," O'Brien said.
"He was very unlucky in the St Leger last year when he unseated Seamus, you couldn't believe it, he was coming down the straight on the bridle."
O'Brien said he feels Idaho is still open to further improvement.
"He's by Galileo and they don't know when to stop improving or stop trying. It's very possible he'll progress, there's plenty of races for him," O'Brien said.
"I think he gets a mile and a half well, he galloped out very well and those races are open to him.
"The King George is a possibility for him but we've got Highland Reel as well, the lads will decide what they want to do, but I'd say it's a very strong possibility.
"The Caulfield Cup might be a possibility and he does
"Seamus gave him a peach of a ride, he's a world-class rider. He timed his run to perfection."
Chemical Charge (25/1) was beaten 1 3/4-lengths into third with the 9/4 favourite Dartmouth a further 1 1/2-lengths off in fourth.
