He was retired to stud duties in New Jersey when his five-year racing career ended, having recorded 23 wins from 36 starts.

Harry Bassett was a chestnut stallion,[1] foaled on 27 April 1868,[2] that was sired by Lexington and out of the mare Canary Bird.

Canary Bird's second dam, or maternal grandmother, was the imported mare Sweetbriar by Recovery.

[6] Harry Bassett won the fifth running of the Belmont Stakes in 1871 at Jerome Park Racetrack in a time of 2 minutes 56 seconds.

Harry Bassett won by three lengths from the second-placed finisher Stockwood; the third place went to August Belmont's By The Sea.

[5] During his three-year-old year Harry Bassett started 11 times and won eight, finishing second in the remaining three.