A first Grade One winner for his trainer after he took over the licence following the death of his Hall of Fame father Christophe Clement, he arrived at Keeneland as the home team’s best chance of denying Charlie Appleby’s defending champion, despite having to settle for second when they clashed in the Woodbine Mile last month.

However, with an inspired Kendrick Carmouche in the plate, form was reversed with interest, as the 42-year-old had his mount perfectly placed behind the speed set by Mike Smith aboard Cabo Spirit and kicked for home rounding the home bend, with William Buick still having upwards of seven lengths to find aboard Notable Speech.

The Godolphin candidate came home strongly in his final career start, but Deterministic had already built a lead too great to reel in, holding on to signal jubilant scenes in Kentucky. The William Haggas-trained Lake Forest was third under Cieren Fallon.

Appleby said: “I could see after about 100 yards that he didn’t break well. From there onwards it was all going to be hard work because the speed was down the inside and we didn’t get the position we would have liked.

“It’s also frustrating that he came home as strongly as he did, but he’s lost nothing in defeat and everyone knows what a good horse he is.”

Buick added: “He was a bit slowly away and I had to work to where I did, but I had to wait and the winner had gone.

“Take nothing away from him he’s run a super race and been a model of consistency.”