[3] Memoir ran six times as a juvenile in 1889 and was beaten on her first three starts before recording her first success when she won the Bradford Plate, worth £436 at Leicester Racecourse in September.

[5] In the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket on 2 May Memoir started the 10/1 second choice in the betting behind Semolina, the 1/2 favourite, who was also owned by the Duke of Portland and trained by Dawson.

She was equipped with blinkers for the first time[8] and after disputing the lead from the start she stayed on strongly to win by a short head from Blue Green with Le Nord in third.

[9][10] On 6 June Memoir, with John Watts in the saddle, was one of seven fillies to contest the 112th running of the Oaks Stakes over one and a half miles at Epsom Racecourse.

Memoir was restrained towards the rear as Semolina set the early pace, but made steady progress from half way and moved into contention in the straight.

She took the lead entering the final furlong and defeated Signorina to win by three quarters of a length with Ponza taking third place ahead of Semolina.

[14] The 115th edition of the St Leger, on 10 September over fourteen and a half furlongs at Doncaster Racecourse attracted a field of fifteen and saw Memoir start at odds of 10/1.

[17] Ten days after her win at Doncaster, Memoir was dropped back sharply in distance for the £11,000 Lancashire Plate over seven furlongs at Manchester Racecourse.

[21] Despite the negative prognostications Memoir won the July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket at odds of 3/1[22] beating the specialist sprinter Noble Chieftain by a short head.