Bred by Stavros Niarchos he fetched IR£1,200,000 as a yearling and showed considerable promise on his only run as a two-year-old when he finished second in the Killavullan Stakes.
In October 1997 the yearling was offered for sale at Goffs and was bought for IR£1,200,000 by the Dermot "Demi" OByrne[3] on behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore organisation.
[8] Instead of beginning his track career in a maiden race, Saffron Walden made his debut in the Group Three Killavullan Stakes over seven furlongs at Leopardstown Racecourse in October.
He started the 2/1 favourite but despite staying on well in straight he was beaten one and a half lengths by the Jim Bolger-trained filly Athlumney Lady.
"[13] On 22 May he was one of ten colts to contest the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh and with Mick Kinane opting to partner the O'Brien stable's more fancied runner Orpen (winner of the Prix Morny), the ride on Saffron Walden went to the French jockey Olivier Peslier.
Orpen was the third choice on 9/2 ahead of Access All Areas (Marble Hill Stakes) and Mus-If with Saffron Walden starting at odds of 12/1.
After being restrained at the rear of the field by Kinane he made some progress on the outside in the straight but never looked likely to win and finished seventh of the sixteen runners, six and a quarter lengths behind the winner Oath.
Saffron Walden was then dropped in class and distance for the Group Three Meld Stakes over ten furlongs at the Curragh on 23 July in which he started 4/5 favourite but was beaten four lengths into second place by the four-year-old Make No Mistake.