Smolensko's dam, Wowski, was bred by Sir Ferdinando Poole, owned by Mr Hallett, and was a half-sister of the important sire Waxy.

[4] A German count visiting Sir Charles in 1818 described him as, "... a brilliant animal with a beautiful high and formed neck and excellent shoulders and withers.

[5] On the first start of Smolensko's racing career at the First Spring Meeting at Newmarket, he won the 2,000 Guineas Stakes on 4 May, beating The Oaks winning filly Music and nine other horses.

[10] At three o'clock, the race began with Smolensko soon taking the lead, followed closely by Lord Jersey's colt Caterpillar.

"[11] At Egham on 25 August, Smolensko won the 175-guinea Magna Charta Stakes from the Duke of York's colt Eurus.

"[9] With Smolensko still recovering from his injury at Newmarket, his connections forfeited an 18 October match race with the colt Benedict, paying 80 guineas to Lord Foley.

[15] At the First Spring Meeting on 29 April at Newmarket, Smolensko won a 450-guinea sweepstakes race against four other horses, beating the colts Pyramus and Punic.

"[17] Smolensko was bought after Bunbury's death in 1821 by Richard Wilson for approximately 1,300 guineas[18] and was relocated to Bildeston, Suffolk.

* Smolensko is inbred 4S × 4S to the stallion Matchem, meaning that he appears twice fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree.