As a yearling in October 2008 he was offered for sale at Tattersalls and bought for 90,000 guineas by the bloodstock agents McKeever St Lawrence on behalf of a group of owners headed by members of the Sangster family.
He was sired by Oasis Dream, a sprinter who won the July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes in 2003 before becoming a very successful breeding stallion.
The Prix Morny over 1200 metres at Deauville Racecourse on 23 August attracted a field of five runners and saw Arcano, ridden by Richard Hills, start the second choice in the betting behind his fellow English challenger Canford Cliffs (winner of the Coventry Stakes).
After being restrained at the rear of the field as Special Duty set the pace, the colt began to make rapid progress in the last 300 metres and took the lead in final strides.
[10] Almost eight months after his last start, Arcano began his second campaign in the Greenham Stakes (a major trial race for the 2000 Guineas) over seven furlongs at Newbury in April.
On his only subsequent race Arcano was dropped in class and distance for a minor event over six furlongs at Doncaster Racecourse on 31 July.