Sceptre was bred by Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster at his Eaton Stud in Cheshire and was foaled on 9 April 1899.

Sceptre's dam, Ornament, was sired by the Duke of Westminster's Bend Or and was herself a full sister to Triple Crown winner Ormonde.

At the end of the season, Morton became private trainer to Jack Joel, and Sievier decided to train his own horses at a yard at Shrewton in Wiltshire which he leased from John Porter.

Staggeringly by modern standards, Sceptre began her season in the Lincolnshire Handicap with Sievier backing her to win £30,000.

Her next target was the Derby but she bruised a foot ten days before the race and finished fourth behind Ard Patrick after being left at the start.

At the end of the season, Sievier sent Sceptre to auction to raise money but she failed to reach her reserve price.

Sceptre's four-year-old season began with Sievier making another attempt to win the Lincoln to raise money.

In 1923 after failed attempts to get Sceptre in foal, Lord Glanely sold her to a Brazilian breeder despite the promise when he purchased her that she would remain in his care for the remainder of her life.