[3] As a descendant of the broodmare Bold Irish, Justwhistledixie came from the same branch of Thoroughbred family 8-c which also produced Ruffian, Pine Bluff and Fusaichi Pegasus.
On his racecourse debut, New Year's Day ran in a five and a half furlong maiden race on the Polytrack surface at Del Mar on August 18, 2013.
[6] Two weeks later at the same track, New Year's Day contested another maiden race, this time over a distance of one mile and started the 0.9/1 favorite against eight opponents.
[7] New Year's Day was then moved up sharply in class to contest the thirtieth running of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile over eight and a half furlongs at Santa Anita Park on November 2 in which he was ridden by Martin Garcia.
The Champagne Stakes winner Havana was made the 3/1 favorite ahead of Tap It Rich the more fancied of the runners from the Baffert stable with New Year's Day next in the betting on 8/1 alongside Bond Holder.
On 26 December it was announced that the colt would be retired from racing and would begin his stud career Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington, Kentucky.
"[10] New Year's Day was runner-up to the gelding Shared Belief in the poll for American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse.
[14] Prior to Maximum Security's emergence as a G1 winner, in late 2018, New Year's Day was sold to Brazilian interests to stand future seasons in that country.