[2] His dam, Scapa Flow, also produced Fairway's sister Fair Isle who won the 1000 Guineas and his brother Pharos who finished second in The Derby and sired Nearco.

As a two-year-old, Fairway was trained by George Lambton at Lord Derby's Stanley House stable at Newmarket, Suffolk.

Fairway impressed observers before the race and won very easily by two lengths after "sailing past" the strongly fancied Black Watch.

"[10] Fairway returned to his best in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown which he won by eight lengths from Royal Minstrel in record time[11] In September he started 7/4 favourite for the St Leger, despite concerns that, as the son of sprinter, he would lack the stamina for the one and three quarter mile race.

On his final start of the year he stepped up to two miles and a quarter to win the Jockey Club Cup, "cantering" to a three length victory over Palais Royal.

[15] Fairway was kept in training at five with the intention of winning the Ascot Gold Cup, but was retired without running after sustaining a tendon injury.

[1] He sired the Classic winners Blue Peter, Watling Street, Pay Up, Kingsway, Garden Path and Tide-way.