Kingcraft, a handsome but "delicate-looking"[1] bay horse standing 16 hands high, was bred by his owner Evelyn Boscawen, 6th Viscount Falmouth at his stud at Mereworth Castle in Kent.

[3] Lord Falmouth sent the colt into training with Mathew Dawson at his private stable at Heath House at Newmarket, Suffolk.

[8] Kingcraft remained a leading fancy for the Classics in the spring of 1870, but a great deal of interest and money was invested in an unraced colt called Macgregor.

[7] One analysis of the candidates for the 2000 Guineas offered the view that while Kingcraft possessed brilliant speed, his courage or "pluck" was questionable.

[11] Macgregor was the subject of a huge public gamble[2] for the Derby on June 1, and was made one of the shortest-priced favourites in the history of the race at odds of 4/9.

[13] Ridden by Tom French, Kingcraft was saddled away from the main paddock and disappointed the crowd by failing to take part in the parade in front of the stands.

When the race got under way French restrained Kingcraft at the back of the field in the early stages before making steady progress from half way.

Approaching the turn into the straight, French pulled Kingcraft to the wide outside, avoiding the congestion and bumping along the rail.

French made his move on Kingcraft just over a furlong from the finish, took the lead from Palmerston and quickly pulled clear to win by four lengths.

[22] On 23 April 1872 Kingcraft returned to Epsom, the scene of his biggest win, and ran unplaced in the City and Suburban Handicap won by Digby Grand.

Ridden by Charles Maidment he held the lead in the closing stages but although he ran on with "great gameness" he was beaten a head by the three-year-old Vanderdecken.

[26] William Allison, in his book "Memories of Men and Horses" described Kingcraft as "the best-looking Derby winner I have seen" but "a bad one according to classic standard.

"[27] The Pall Mall Budget called Kingcraft "one of the worst horses which have ever won the Derby" and his opposition at Epsom as "rubbish.