Tudenham was a "strong, attractive"[2] bay horse bred by his owner Lionel Brook Holliday at his Cleaboy Stud, near Mullingar in County Westmeath.
She was a granddaughter of the British broodmare Netherton Maid who was a full-sister to Neasham Belle and the female-line ancestor of many good winners including Hethersett, Hittite Glory and Harzand .
[6] Tudenham began his racing career in the Scarborough Maiden Stakes over five furlongs at York Racecourse in May and finished second to the Mick Easterby-trained Gypo, beaten a head by the winner.
After a three-month absence the colt finished sixth on his reappearance before being stepped up in class for the inaugural running of the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury Racecourse in September.
[8] Of his six opponents, Quentilian, Wohurst and Mad Mahdi had won minor races whilst Golden Master, Boldboy and Loyal Manzer were maidens.
[7] Tudenham made no impact in his first two starts as a three-year-old finishing unplaced in both the European Free Handicap (behind Pitskelly) and the Irish 2000 Guineas (won by Sharp Edge).
In the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot he produced a much better effort finishing a close fourth to Tudor Rhythm in a twenty-two runner field.