[10] The colt was then moved up to Group 3 level for the first time to contest the Huxley Stakes at Chester Racecourse in May and finished second, beaten a neck by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Deauville.

Moore settled him in fourth before taking the lead approaching the final furlong and winning by one and a half lengths and a neck from Second Step (Grosser Preis von Berlin) and Scarlet Dragon.

[11] In September the colt was sent to Ireland and stepped up to Group 1 class for the Irish Champion Stakes over ten furlongs at Leopardstown Racecourse in which he was partnered by James Doyle.

In the Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on 21 October, he proved no match for the winner Cracksman but took second place ahead of Highland Reel, Recoletos, Brametot, Cliffs of Moher and Barney Roy.

For his final run of the year he was sent to Sha Tin Racecourse for the Hong Kong Cup on 10 December and finished sixth behind the locally trained Time Warp.

[13] At Royal Ascot on 20 June Poet's Word started 11/2 second favourite behind Cracksman in a seven-runner field for the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes which also included Hawkbill and Cliffs of Moher.

After being restrained by James Doyle in fifth place he made a forward move approaching the straight, took the lead a furlong out and drew away from his rivals to win by two and a quarter lengths from Cracksman.

[16] On 28 July Poet's Word, with Doyle in the saddle, was one of seven horses to contest the 68th running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles at Ascot.

After racing towards the rear of the field, Poet's Word produced a sustained run on the outside in the straight, overhauled Crystal Ocean inside the final furlong, and won by a neck.

[18] Poet's Word was dropped back in distance at York on 22 August and started 8/5 favourite for the International Stakes in which he faced the leading three-year-olds Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior.