Straitlace was a small, but "beautifully proportioned"[2] bay mare with a white star bred at the Sledmere Stud in East Yorkshire by Lady Sykes.

Straitlace's dam Stolen Kiss was a very successful sprinter who won nineteen races including the Portland Handicap in 1911.

[3] On 9 May 1924, Straitlace was one of sixteen fillies to contest the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket Racecourse and finished third behind Plack and Mumtaz Mahal, beaten two lengths by the winner.

Thecontest was run in fine weather but attracted a smaller than usual crown, with many racegoers reportedly being discouraged by the appalling conditions which had prevailed for the Epsom Derby two days earlier.

Straitlace tracked Plack in the early stages before overtaking her rival approaching the straight and then opening up a clear advantage.

[9] At Royal Ascot in June Straitlace was brought back in distance for the Coronation Stakes over one mile in which he was ridden by Charlie Elliott and won at odds of 3/1,[11] "in the style of a really good filly".