Sold as a yearling for 1.7 million guineas he showed very good form as a two-year-old in 2000 when he won two of his three races including the Group 1 National Stakes.
As a yearling in September 1999 the colt was consigned to the Tattersalls Houghton sale where he was bought for 1.7 million guineas by Dermot "Demi" O'Byrne acting on behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore Stud organisation.
[5] The colt was moved up in class for the Group 3 Futurity Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh in August in which he was made the 6/1 fourth choice in the betting in a seven-runner field headed by his more fancied stablemate Bonnard.
Ridden by Seamie Heffernan, he tracked the leaders before taking the lead a furlong out but was overtaken in the final tride and finished third, beate half a length and a short head by Lady Lahar and Bonnard.
Heffernan positioned the colt just behind the leaders as Down To The Woods set the early pace from King's County, but began to make progress two furlongs from the finish.
Starting the 7/4 favourite he took the lead approaching the last quarter mile but was overtaken inside the final furlong and beaten a head by Magic Cove.
Ridden by Mick Kinane, he took the lead from the start and was ever headed, staying on well in the closing stages to win by three quarters of a length from Priors Lodge.