Spirit Dancer hands Sir Alex a Fergie time winner with stunning in Bahrain International Trophy

The Richard Fahey trained seven-year-old looked well off the pace as he turned for the home straight, but Oisin Orr was as cool as a cucumber as the pair made up a four-length deficit at the death.

Last year’s triumph sparked a winning run in the Middle East and Fergie will be hoping this will be the catalyst for a similar run having overcome injury.

Ferguson said: “It’s unbelievable, he was so far behind I said ‘he’s not going to do it’. I don’t know where he got it from. It was fantastic and he’s a fantastic jockey.

“He’s had to find something like four lengths to catch the leading horse and somehow he got there.

“It was fantastic and I’m really proud of him and proud of the jockey because he sat motionless and didn’t panic at all.”

Co-owner Ged Mason added: “You think lightning wouldn’t strike twice but it has today and it is a fantastic feat what Richard and the team back home have done.

“Credit to them for getting him back from his injury, it’s fantastic. I’m so happy for this fella (Ferguson), who bred him and last year it was a bit of a tonic after we sadly lost Lady Cathy (Ferguson’s late wife), who we said rode him last time and I think she rode him again.”

Fahey said: “The horse was in great form and he loves the place. It’s horses for courses and he seems to love this place and the trip is ideal.

“But it was a different race to watch this year. At three out, I thought ‘we’ll trot up’, but then the second horse kicked clear and we were struggling to get by him.

“I was sort of thinking he’d run a good race to finish second but then the last hundred yards I did shout him home – it was wonderful, great. A great race for us to watch anyway, maybe not for the second.

“It’s exceptional for us, and what I do like is how much enjoyment Ged, Sir Alex and Peter Done get out of it. They are extremely successful men and to see the enjoyment they get is unbelievable. I’m with them this year and am really, really excited – it’s fantastic.”

“I want to see how he is after this race but I haven’t drawn a line through going to Hong Kong, all his paperwork is in place and I want to go, so we’ll see.

“But the most important one is done and anything after this is a bonus.”