At the start of the 2002 season, Reel Buddy showed improved form to win his first three races. On his debut he won the Quail Stakes at kempton Park on 1 April, defeating the Ayr Gold Cup winner Continent by a short head. In the Listed Abernant Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket two weeks later he was ridden by Jimmy Fortune and started third favourite behind Continent and Invincible Spirit. He recorded his first important victory as he finished strongly to beat Continent by a neck with Needwood Blade taking third ahead of Invincible Spirit. In the Listed Spring Trophy at Haydock Park on 4 May he started 11/8 favourite in a seven-runner field and won again, beating Patsy's Double by one and a half lengths. He was stepped up to Group Three class for the Duke of York Stakes later that month and finished sixth behind Invincible Spirit.
