moved up to challenge his stablemate and pulled ahead inside the final furlong to win by one and a quarter lengths. Swain and Shantou finished next to complete a "clean sweep" for European-trained horses. Much attention was given to the human aspects of the victory: Swinburn had recovered from life-threatening injuries earlier in the year, and had been criticised for his riding style in previous American races, while Stoute recorded his first Breeders' Cup victory in fifteen attempts. 1997: five-year-old season In 1997 Michael Kinane took over as Pilsudski's regular jockey, and the horse had his most successful season, winning four Group One races from eight starts. His season began slowly, as he finished a well beaten third to Helissio in the Prix Ganay and was then beaten by Predappio when starting favourite for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he was unsuited by the soft ground. At Sandown in July he won his most important European race to date, taking the lead a furlong out in the Eclipse Stakes and running on well to beat The Derby winner Benny the Dip by one and a quarter lengths with the odds-on favourite Bosra Sham (who had been unable to obtain a clear run) in third. Although much of the coverage of the race focused on Bosra Sham's defeat, Pilsudski was given credit for his win and was described by Mick Kinane as "fit, hard and ready to fight." In the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot three weeks later Pilsudski ran on strongly after being switched to the outside to finish second to Swain, ahead of Helissio, Singspiel, Shantou and Predappio in a contest which was described as the "race of the decade". Once again, Pilsudski produced his best form in the Autumn. The build-up for the Irish Champion Stakes in September suggested that the race was effectively a match between Pilsudski and the three-year-old Desert King, the winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas and Derby. Pilsudski tracked the leaders before taking the lead in the straight and pulling well clear. Even though he was eased down close to the finish he still crossed the line four and a half lengths ahead of Desert King. The performance was described by one national newspaper correspondent as "truly awesome". In his second attempt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe he started third favourite and again proved to