He was one of the best horses sired by Dancer's Image who won the 1968 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified after traces of phenylbutazone were discovered in a post-race urinalysis.
As a descendant of the broodmare, Duke's Delight, Irish Chorus was related to several major winners including Noblesse, Pistol Packer, Rainbow Quest and Commander in Chief.
Ridden by Lester Piggott, he started joint-favourite and won by three lengths from the Dermot Weld-trained Red Alert (later to win the Jersey Stakes and the Stewards' Cup) after going clear of his rivals approaching the final furlong.
He was ridden with great confidence, and although he prevailed by only a short head from the filly Leave It To Me, he appeared to have plenty in reserve and to be better than the bare form suggested.
Unlike many leading sprinters he did not show explosive early pace, instead relying on class, finishing speed and the assistance of Piggott to record his biggest wins.
[4] In June, Saritamer was sent to England for a second time for the Cork and Orrery Stakes (then a Group Three race) at Royal Ascot and started at odds on 11/1[5] against sixteen opponents.
Three weeks later, the colt contested the Challenge Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket but started poorly and was never in contention, finishing eighth of the ten runners behind New Model.
[4] There was no International Classification of European two-year-olds in 1973: the official handicappers of Britain, Ireland and France compiled separate rankings for horses which competed in those countries.
In the Irish Free Handicap, Saritamer was rated the third-best two-year-old colt of the season, eleven pounds behind Apalachee and six behind the Dewhurst Stakes winner Cellini.