Big John the bus driver took all odds down from 66/1 and was told by a good source that the horse was injured before it ran.

Starting at odds of 11/10 he took the lead in the last quarter mile and won easily by one and a half lengths from Sanoosea, with Stiletto Blade in third.

The colt was held up towards the rear of the field and turned into the straight in tenth place but was unable to make any progress and finished thirteenth behind Lammtarra, beaten more than thirty lengths.

Spectrum took the lead approaching the final furlong and produced what The Independent's correspondent described as "a scintillating burst of speed"[8] to win by two lengths and a head from Riyadian and Montjoy.

In the following month he started favourite for the Lockinge Stakes over one mile at Newbury but was beaten into third place by Soviet Line and Charnwood Forest.

After a three-month break he returned in Juddmonte International Stakes at York Racecourse and made no impression, finishing fifth of the six runners behind Halling Spectrum was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion and stood in Europe, Australia and South Africa.

He has also sired several good National Hunt horse including Glencove Marina, winner of the Champion Novice Hurdle.