He was sired by Sharpen Up, a British racehorse who won the Middle Park Stakes in 1971[4] before becoming a successful breeding stallion.

He was immediately moved up to the highest level for the Group One Grand Critérium at Longchamp on October 6 in which finished fourth at around three lengths behind champion Hector Protector.

He was entered into the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on September 28 against the best milers of Europe, such as Kooyonga and Shadayid.

In July he finished second to Marling by only a head in the Sussex Stakes, and on August 29 he won the Celebration Mile (1m 41.72s) by 2+1⁄2 over Steinbeck, the latter two races at Goodwood.

Selkirk was set to become the first horse since Brigadier Gerard in 1972 to win consecutive runnings of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but his regular jockey Ray Cochrane had been suspended.

Native-American Selkirk finished his racing career on October 31 at Gulfstream Park at the Breeders' Cup Mile.

The tight turns and high humidity of the track proved difficult for Selkirk and he came in fifth across the wire, five lengths behind winner Lure.

Of his death, Kirsten Rausing stated: "We will greatly miss him, but his memory will live on, not only here at the stud, but throughout the Thoroughbred industry in this country and abroad.