It is usually jumps horses that stir the public soul. They stay around long enough for familiarity and the nature of their job requires the stamina, courage and sheer bloody-mindedness that command admiration. But among the transient meteors of Flat racing are a few exceptions that tick every such box, and Yeats is the glorious template.

On a sunkissed Ladies' Day, Yeats did more than become the first horse since Sagaro in 1977 to win three Ascot Gold Cups. He also animated this decorous venue, imposed himself on 70,000 memories and produced the sort of full-throated roar around the winner's enclosure that Ascot hears all too seldom.

In trouncing his field by five lengths, Yeats even raised the possibility that he could return, aged eight, for an unprecedented fourth win. The Coolmore chief, John Magnier, exemplifying genuine emotion among his connections, said: “One thing we will take into account is that racing needs horses like him around.”

Indeed, this was a performance that transcended punting preferences or prejudice against a team that is threatening to monopolise this meeting. Yeats is box-office, a stand-alone crowd-pleaser. And to think he was once favourite for the Derby, a quite different career path in mind.

Aidan O'Brien has now trained ten group one winners this season, and four this week alone, but he was deeply moved by the latest. “He's been around a long time and he's been special to me since he won his maiden at two. He's not just a plodder, he's unique. His lungs and his heart are massive and I don't know when the time will come for his genes to be preserved.”

O'Brien went on to say how “privileged” he felt to be working with so many great horses and people. It was a familiar line, yet the avidity with which he spoke it was echoed by Johnny Murtagh, who has never looked happier since inheriting the riding role at Ballydoyle reluctantly vacated by Kieren Fallon.

Murtagh has had his dark times, struggling with weight and addiction to the point where he looked out of love with his career. Yet his ability is incontestable and its ultimate flowering is compelling.

To justify odds of 11-8, Yeats sat fourth behind Le Miracle, who had beaten him in Paris last October, then tracked the smooth progress of Coastal Path. This French colt was unbeaten in six starts and had been prepared by André Fabre, the inscrutable Frenchman who had a seat in the royal carriage parade yesterday.

It was, though, the enigmatic Geordieland who emerged as the last and most serious challenger. Shane Kelly had produced him on the line to win the Yorkshire Cup last month but, here, he engaged the old champion more than a furlong from home and paid a predictable price.

Jamie Osborne, the trainer, did not look overjoyed with a man he had supported staunchly since his return from a 12-month corruption ban. Kelly, however, was unrepentant. “Yeats is different class, we've been beaten five lengths and I don't think it would have mattered what I'd done - apart from maybe tie his legs together.”

This was, though, the day when another controversially banned jockey returned to the top table. Robert Winston also missed a full year after being found guilty by the racing authorities of passing information for reward. The implied disgrace, allied to personal problems, dragged him to depths of despair he will not wish to revisit.

But for encountering so many potholes, Winston might have been champion jockey by now. Instead, he has worked assiduously for three months since his return in order to enjoy a day in the sun provided by South Central in the Norfolk Stakes yesterday.

South Central runs for the owner-trainer partnership of Graham Wylie and Howard Johnson better known for Cheltenham heroes but Winston rode Masta Plasta, their previous winner at the royal meeting, three years ago. “I'd never been in doubt about my ability to get back, it was just getting the help and support I needed,” Winston said. “This means a huge amount to me.”

No huge amounts were won in the annual market on the Queen's hat for Ladies' Day. A coup was suspected as Paddy Power, the bookmaker, cut the colour red from 20-1 to 1-3 but Her Majesty turned up in light blue, then narrowly missed a meeting with the actress who portrayed her in the cinema recently.

Helen Mirren had just presented the trophies for the Ribblesdale Stakes when the Queen appeared in the paddock. Knowing her place, HM set off in the opposite direction from HM. Just as well, really, for this was a day that needed no distractions from the mastery of a wonder horse.