He showed little promise as a two-year-old, but developed into a leading colt the following year, when his wins included the 1878 Epsom Derby.

As a yearling was sold for 1,000 guineas[4] to William Stuart Stirling-Crawfurd (1819–1883) of Milton[5] in Lanarkshire, Scotland (now a suburb of Glasgow), an "old school" sportsman[6] who had married the widow of the Duke of Montrose.

He showed form far in advance of anything he had shown in 1877 by finishing half a length second to Thurio, with the pair well clear of the thirteen other runners.

[10] Sefton's next race was an unusual one for a Classic contender, as he took on older horses in the valuable City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom on 30 April.

Carrying only 78 pounds he disputed the lead from the start, went to the front early in the straight and held on in a close finish to win by a head from the five-year-old Advance.

He led for most of the race and stayed on after being overtaken in the final furlong to prove the best of the English colts, finishing third to the filly Pilgrimage and the French-trained Insulaire.

Insulaire, who had won the Prix du Jockey Club a few days earlier,[13] was made favourite ahead of Bonnie Scotland.