As a two-year-old, Vain was undefeated in Melbourne in the spring of 1968 and autumn of 1969, winning races such as the VRC Sires Produce.

In his final race, he carried a record 10 lb over weight-for-age in winning the 1969 George Adams Handicap.

His only defeat as a three-year-old was against the champion New Zealand colt Daryl's Joy, who also won the W S Cox Plate and Victoria Derby and who later raced successfully in the United States as a stayer including winning at group one level.

He was retired to stud at the end of his three-year-old season, in 1970, when he was injured in a track gallop.

He was placed at Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley, where he sired 370 winners, among them winning almost 1,800 races.