In the following spring, he established himself as a top class sprinter, taking the Prix Sigy and Sandy Lane Stakes before being narrowly defeated in the Commonwealth Cup.

He ran poorly in late summer, but returned to form in autumn to record his biggest win in the British Champions Sprint Stakes.

[9] In the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse Sands of Mali was made the 9/2 second choice in the betting but, in a rough race, he never looked likely to win and came home last of the twelve runners behind U S Navy Flag.

For his final run of the year the colt was sent to California to contest the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf over one mile at Del Mar Racetrack on 3 November.

Sands of Mali led from the start and got the better of a "sustained duel" with Invincible Army over the final furlong to win by a short head.

[15] On 22 June Sands of Mali was stepped up to Group 1 class to contest the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and was made the 15/2 fourth choice in a field of 22 three-year-olds.

[17] The colt produced a better effort in the 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes on heavy ground at Haydock on 8 September when he came home fifth behind the six-year-old The Tin Man.

In the Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes over six furlongs at Ascot on 20 October Sands of Mali started a 28/1 outsider in a field of fourteen.

On his return to Europe he ran third to Brando and Donjuan Triumphant in the ungraded Clyde Stakes at Hamilton Park Racecourse, a race for which he started the even money favourite.

On his only other run of the year he attempted to repeat his 2018 success in the British Champions Sprint Stakes but finished unplaced behind Donjuan Triumphant after losing a shoe in the race.

[21] Sands of Mali ran twice in 2020, beaten into eighth place in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes behind Hello Youmzain[22] before finishing fourth in a minor race at Haydock Park on his final start.

His co-owner Peter Swann said "He's been a fantastic servant to us...he's a beautiful-looking horse, big and strong – a perfect stallion –and we hope we can get some future success from his progeny.