Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, the world's most successful female trainer, Kotashann made his racing debut on November 16, 1990.
Kotashann contested his first Group One race on June 23, 1991, finishing third to Subotica in the Grand Prix de Paris.
He followed this up with another third-place effort in the August 15th G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and a second-place finish on September 9 in the G3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte.
He won five major California races at distances from 1+1⁄8 to 1+3⁄4 miles (1.8 to 2.8 km) including the San Juan Capistrano Handicap in track-record time.
In the Turf, Kotashaan defeated a strong field that included runner-up Bien Bien, defending Breeders' Cup Turf champion, Fraise (4), Hatoof (5), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, Opera House (6), and French Derby winner, Hernando (10).