Her dam Parthica showed some ability as a racehorse and was a daughter of the influential broodmare Violetta, whose other descendants have included Sir Percy, Teenoso, Harayir, Rule of Law and Olympic Glory.

[3] On her first appearance as a three-year-old Give Thanks recorded her first success as she won a maiden race over ten furlongs on heavy ground at Navan Racecourse.

She produced an even better performance as she won by eight lengths from So True and New Coins, with the other three runners (including the Fillies' Mile winner Acclimatise) reportedly "strung out like washing".

Although there was some disappointment at the result (she had started 5/6 favourite), the form of the race looked much better after Carlingford Castle finished second to Teenoso in the 1983 Epsom Derby on 1 June.

the Irish filly looked to be struggling when the pace quickened in the straight but got to the front a furlong out and drew away in the closing stages to win by two lengths from Ski Sailing.

On 21 July, on her seventh run of the campaign, Give Thanks was moved up to Group 1 class for the first time to contest the Irish Oaks over 1+1⁄2 miles on firm ground at the Curragh, and started the 7/4 favourite ahead of the British-trained challengers High Hawk (winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot) and Shore Line (fourth in the Epsom Oaks).

After tracking the pacemaker Hocus Pocus, Give Thanks took the lead entering the straight, accelerated clear of her rivals and stayed on to win by 2+1⁄2 lengths from High Hawk with Green Lucia in third place.

[3] The much-anticipated meeting between Give Thanks and the English champion Sun Princess took place in the Yorkshire Oaks on 16 August and the fillies started at 7/4 and 6/5 respectively in a six-runner field.

She was then moved up in distance and started favourite for the Park Hill Stakes over 14+1⁄2 furlongs at Doncaster Racecourse on 7 September but was beaten three-uarters of a length by the improving High Hawk.