In April 1969 he made his debut in the Royal Stakes, a trial race for The Derby at Sandown Park and finished unplaced.
He next finished second in a minor race at Windsor Racecourse and then recorded his first win when taking the Willows Plate at Haydock Park by five lengths in May.
[3] Later that month, Habitat was moved up in class and matched against older horses in the Lockinge Stakes over one mile at Newbury Racecourse.
[5] In August Habitat was sent to France for the Prix Quincey over 1600 metres at Deauville Racecourse and won from the Cheveley Park Stakes winner Mige.
His Group One winners included Bassenthwaite, Brocade, Distant Relative, Flying Water, Habat, Habibti, Hittite Glory, Marwell, Rose Bowl, Sigy, Steinlen, Double Form, Smokey Lady and Steel Heart.
[7] Habitat was also a highly successful sire of broodmares, being the damsire of Reference Point, Shaamit, Barathea, Grand Lodge and Las Meninas.