In August 1965 a two-year-old named Buckpasser cemented his growing reputation with victories in the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth and the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. He went on afterwards to capture the Arlington-Washington Futurity and Champagne Stakes.

With then record earnings of $568,096 for a two-year-old he went into winter quarters the winner of nine of his 11 starts.

When he finished fourth on his debut it was to be the only time in 31 career starts that he was out of the first three, eventually retiring to stud the winner of 25 of his 31 starts. He was champion at two and Horse of the Year at three.

He garnered five Eclipse Awards and was ranked at 14 in The Blood-Horse list of 100 US Champions of the 20th Century.

When he retired to stud he was syndicated for $4.8 million, a staggering amount in 1967.

He was generally noted for his good looks and conformation, being described variously as “exceptionally handsome”, with “exquisite quality” and “the most perfectly proportioned thoroughbred I have ever seen”.

At stud he sired a number of champions but earned a reputation for being a better sire of fillies than colts. His daughters included champions La Prevoyante, Numbered Account and Relaxing, the 1000 Guineas winner Quick As Lightning and broodmare of the year Toll Booth.

Buckpasser was leading broodmare sire in the USA on three occasions and among the many outstanding offspring of his daughters are Easy Goer, Slew O’Gold, With Approval, El Gran Senor, Seeking The Gold, Woodman and Miswaki.