As a son of the National Stakes winner Definite Article,[1] he is a representative of the Byerley Turk sire line,[2] unlike more than 95% of modern thoroughbreds, who descend directly from the Darley Arabian.
A year later, he was sent to the Goffs Orby sale, where he was sold for IR£50,0001 to Dermot Weld[6] on behalf of the film director Jim Sheridan,[7] who named the horse after his nephew.
Because of the differences in breeding seasons between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, Australian sources often describe Vinnie Roe as being a year older than his "official" age.
Vinnie Roe made a winning debut in a maiden race at Leopardstown in June, staying on strongly to get up on the line and beat the filly Affianced by a head.
On his final start of the year, he returned to Leopardstown to record his first important win in the Listed Eyrefield Stakes, beating the future Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Rebelline by one and a half lengths.
Three weeks after his run in the Irish Derby, he was driven clear in the closing stages to win the Listed Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown by four lengths.
[11] The race illustrated Vinnie Roe's aptitude for longer distances, as Pugin had finished three lengths in front of him at level weights in the Irish Derby.
Pat Smullen held up Vinnie Roe in the early stages as Persian Punch set the pace from Millenary before making his challenge in the straight.
[14] Vinnie Roe began 2002 by taking his fifth race in succession, winning the Listed Saval Beg Stakes "easily" by four lengths.
He made a strong challenge in the straight to briefly take the lead, but although he stayed on "gamely" he was headed again in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the gelding Royal Rebel[16] in what the BBC described as a "thrilling" race.
[17] Two months later, he won the Listed Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown, holding off Millstreet by half a length while carrying a weight of 10-0 (140 pounds).
In the Saval Beg Stakes, the outsider Windermere was allowed to open up a huge lead ("a furlong" according to RTÉ),[26] and Vinnie Roe, the odds-on favourite, was only able to close the gap to four and a half lengths by the finish.
[31] Smullen produced Vinnie Roe with a strong run in the straight and took him into the lead a furlong out, but he was almost immediately overtaken by Makybe Diva racing on the inside and finished second, beaten by one and a quarter lengths.
"[32] Vinnie Roe began 2005 by winning a second Saval Beg Stakes at the Curragh in May before being sent to England for a second attempt at the Gold Cup, run that year at York as Ascot was being renovated.
[34] He took the lead in the straight but could find no extra in the closing stages and finished third, beaten a length behind the English challengers Collier Hill and The Whistling Teal.
His task was made more difficult after he endured a "nightmare" journey, having to receive veterinary treatment for colic on the flight[35] and there were the usual fears about the possibility of firm ground.