Donerail was a bay colt sired by McGee and foaled by Algie M.[1] He was owned, bred, and trained by Thomas P. Hayes near Lexington, Kentucky.

Due to growing popularity, Churchill Downs underwent major renovations in preparation for the derby, the record 30,000 expected attendees and the $6,600 purse.

As a Louisville native, Thomas Hayes was unsure about Donerail's ability to win, regardless of its promise, so decided that the expense and potential loss would not be worth it.

[2] Because of the overcrowding at the 1913 Kentucky Derby, there were not enough stables, so Donerail was housed at Douglass Park, about three miles away from Churchill Downs, and would have to walk that distance before the start.

It is not known when Donerail died, and much of what became of him after his racing career ended remains a mystery; however, he was retired in 1917 and briefly used as breeding stallion in Lexington, where he commanded a stud fee of $50.