This could be explained by the facts that many of the best horses of his generation (notably St. Simon) had not been entered for the race, while others, such as his stable companion Busybody and Queen Adelaide, were fillies more likely to run in the Oaks.

[10] By the end of the winter, Harvester, who had made excellent physical progress,[11] was 12/1 second favourite for the Derby behind Queen Adelaide and well-fancied for the 2000 Guineas.

[14] At Newmarket on 28 April Harvester was sold for 8,600 guineas[15] to Sir John Willoughby, a young Guards officer who had also bought Queen Adelaide.

[18] Scot Free was a very impressive winner of the Guineas, but Harvester exceeded expectations by making the early running and failing by only a head to hold second place from St Medard.

[23] He was only confirmed as a starter after a successful exercise gallop on the morning of the race, although there was some speculation that the injury was a fabrication by Machell and Willoughby designed to secure better odds.

St. Gatien took the lead a quarter of a mile from the finish but was soon joined by Harvester and the two colts were "locked together" throughout the final furlong in a "tremendous race".

A hundred yards from the post, St Gatien appeared to have the advantage, but Loates rode a vigorous finish and drove Harvester forward in the last strides.

[27] The common practice at the time was for dead heats to be settled by the two horses immediately running again over the same course, although the prize could be shared if both owners agreed.

When St Gatien’s owners offered to divide the stakes, Willoughby and Machell accepted,[28] predictably in view of Harvester’s leg problems.

He started promisingly but then dropped back to last place, and although he made some progress in the closing stages he was never a threat and finished a remote third to Tristan.

His opposition did not appear to be strong, and he won very easily, leading from the start and coming home ten lengths clear of the filly Clochette.

On 9 October, Harvester appeared in the sales ring for the second time in less than six months, but on this occasion, he was not sold, having failed to reach his reserve price of £3,000.