Gewan produced a 25-1 upset in the 150th running of the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, defeating market leaders Gstaad and Distant Storm to provide trainer Andrew Balding and jockey James Doyle with Group 1 glory for owner Yulong Investments.

The Night Of Thunder colt has reignited Classic ambitions for owner Yuesheng Zhang, who previously won the Irish Oaks with Magical Lagoon and came agonisingly close to 2,000 Guineas success with Lucky Vega, now standing at his Yulong operation.

Balding has compared the grey colt to Chaldean, his previous Dewhurst winner who went on to capture the 2,000 Guineas. According to Yulong's racing and bloodstock manager Paul Curran, the trainer remarked that Gewan "reminded him exactly" of Chaldean before the purchase was made in September from Al Rabban Racing, who no doubt made a tidy profit on the colt they bought for only 80,000 Euros at the Arquana breeze up sale last year.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Zhang's expanding European operation. Yulong currently has approximately 70 horses in training across the UK, Ireland and France, with increased focus on Britain in recent years. The operation recently acquired Dullingham Park Stud near Newmarket, now renamed Ace Stud, and has added stallions Shaquille and Soldier's Call to its roster.

The Dewhurst triumph helped Night Of Thunder extend his lead in the British and Irish sires' championship, with another Group winner at Newmarket on Saturday in the form of Hankelow in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes.

While thoughts have already turned to Gewan potentially joining the Ace Stud roster, connections are focused first on next season's Classics. "It's a pleasure to have a horse like this and to have a horse that could be something special next year," Curran said. "Even to be able to mention something like the Guineas next year. It's phenomenal."

For Zhang, who has built a formidable racing and breeding empire in Australia featuring multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina, the Dewhurst represents another step in establishing Yulong as a major force in European racing.