[4] Humorist's sire, Polymelus, was a good racehorse who won the Champion Stakes in 1906, but went on to much greater success as a stallion.

Apart from Humorist, he sired the Derby winners Pommern and Fifinella and through his son Phalaris is the direct male-line ancestor of most modern thoroughbreds.

Humorist's dam, Jest was a highly successful racemare, winning the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks in 1913, and was a half sister of the St Leger winner Black Jester.

He made his debut in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom in June, winning by a neck after looking set for an easy victory.

He led the race into the closing stages and looked the likely winner, but tired abruptly and finished third behind Craig an Eran and Lemonora.

Humorist tracked the leaders before being sent by Donoghue through a gap on the rails and into the lead two furlongs from the finish[8] and held off the sustained challenge of Craig an Eran in a "battle royal"[9] to win by a neck.

Humorist appeared distressed and unsteady after the race and had to spend the night in the racecourse stables before he was well enough to return to Letcombe Bassett.