Blair Athol was slow to mature and did not race as a two-year-old. He did, however, show significant promise in trial gallops, and I’Anson turned down an offer of £7,000 for the colt from the bookmaker John Jackson. The fact that he had been entered in nine races without actually running caused some scepticism, but he was recognised by many observers as a horse of exceptional potential and a serious "dark horse" contender for the Derby.
