Hukum marked his return to racing with victory over Epsom Derby hero Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday.
Trained by Owen Burrows, the six-year-old suffered a career-threatening hind leg injury after winning the Coronation Cup in June 2022.
Desert Crown was also back from an injury lay-off and had not raced since winning the Epsom Derby in June.
It was a first defeat for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four year-old.
Running as the 2-5 favourite, Desert Crown and jockey Richard Kingscote led with just over a furlong left, but were reeled in as Jim Crowley got Hukum flying to win by half a length and deny Stoute a 12th win in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
“We thought he was finished,” said jockey Crowley. “Owen has brought him back. It is a hell of a training performance and everyone at Shadwell has done well to get him back.”
Stoute said Desert Crown was “a little ring-rusty” and added: “He had his race won and he’s just tied up a little in the closing stages. It’s been a year off, that’s a long time.”