[4] Ridden by Fred Archer he took the lead approaching the final furlong and won "in a canter" by one and a half lengths from the Duke of Hamilton's colt Export.

[5] Despite not having fully recovered from a respiratory infection, the colt returned to the track on 22 August when he was an easy winner of the £1002 Prince of Wales's Stakes at York Racecourse.

With Archer again in the saddle he was always towards the rear and came home last of the five runners as the race was won by the filly Hauteur (later to win the 1000 Guineas).

[8] His reputation was enhanced when his stable companion Grandmaster, whom he had beaten "out of sight" in a private trial, ran out a decisive winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket in mid-April.

[9] On 25 April, over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, Galliard was one of fifteen colts to contest the 75th running of the 2000 Guineas which took place in fine weather and attracted a very large crowd.

Auctioneer gave way to Montroyd three furlongs from the finish before Galliard gained the lead entering the last quarter mile with Goldfield and The Prince close behind.

[10] Galliard was stepped up in distance for the Derby Stakes over one and a half miles at Epsom Racecourse on 23 May and was made the 7/2 favourite against ten opponents.

In the build-up to the race he had been closely guarded around the clock amid fears that he would be "got at" (deliberately attacked and injured) by parties who stood to lose financially if he won.

[13] One report claimed that Galliard could have won the race but that Archer "stopped riding" when Highland Chief's challenge materialised.

[15] On the opening day he started the 9/4 second favourite behind Lord Bradford's Laocoon for the £2,675 Prince of Wales's Stakes over one mile and five furlongs.