He improved from running in minor handicaps to Group One level, and recorded his most important win in the 1997 Ascot Gold Cup.
Together with Double Trigger, Kayf Tara and Persian Punch he was one of a group of horses credited with revitalising the staying division in the 1990s.
[2] Celeric, a bay gelding with a white stripe was bred by the Chievely Manor Stud, a tiny operation based in the "back garden" of his owner Christopher Spence.
At the last venue he gave thirteen pounds to the future Champion Hurdler Istabraq and won by a head.
Ridden by Richard Hills, Celeric tracked the leaders before moving easily up to challenge in the last quarter mile.
He took the lead inside the final furlong and was driven out to hold the renewed challenge of the Ebor Handicap winner Sanmartino by a head and record his first Group win.
Held up as usual, Celeric showed "courage" to match his "turn of foot"[15] as he "squeezed" through a gap to take the lead inside the final furlong and ran on under pressure to beat Mons by a short head, with Classic Cliche finishing last of the nine runners.
[16] On his final trial for the Gold Cup, Celeric finished second to Persian Punch in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, beaten three quarters of a length when attempting to give seven pounds to the younger gelding.
Apart from Classic Cliche, Double Trigger and Persian Punch, Celeric's rivals also included the Cartier Award winning stayers Moonax and Nononito.
Celeric was held up in last place by Pat Eddery in the early stages as Grey Shot and Double Trigger made the running.
Celeric caught Classic Cliche well inside the last furlong and ran on under pressure to win by three quarters of a length.
[17] Eddery was singled out for praise in timing Celeric's challenge to perfection: the gelding disliked being in front and had to be produced as late as possible.
In the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot he was held up patiently by Richard Quinn (Pat Eddery was suspended) before "pouncing"[22] inside the final furlong and being pushed out to beat Shaya by one and a half lengths.