First Trump

First Trump began his career in a maiden race at Yarmouth in June. He was made 5/4 favourite and took the lead inside the final furlong to win by a length.[8] He followed up at Newbury three weeks later, winning a minor stakes race by a length and a half.[9]

In July at Newmarket he was moved up to Group class for the first time in the July Stakes. He was made third favourite behind the Norfolk Stakes winner Turtle Island and Wahiba Riva who had finished third in the Coventry Stakes. First Trump seemed to be struggling in the early stages but ran on strongly in the final furlong to take the lead close to the finish and win by half a length.[10] He was given a hard ride by Hills whose use of the whip on an inexperienced horse attracted some attention. The Independent's correspondent offered the opinion that First Trump had the makings of "a fine performer when his education is complete."[11] The betting for the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood three weeks suggested that the race was effectively a match between First Trump and the Coventry Stakes winner Stonehatch. The race reflected the betting, as the two colts pulled well clear of the other runners inside the final furlong, with First Trump being driven out by Hills to prevail by half a length.[12] After the race he was offered at 16/1 for the following year's 2000 Guineas.[13]

First Trump started joint favourite for the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in September, but could never reach the leaders and lost his unbeaten record, finishing third to Polish Laughter. On his final start of the season, First Trump returned to his home track of Newmarket for the Group One Middle Park Stakes. He was fourth choice in the betting at 6/1 behind Turtle Island, who, since his defeat in the July Stakes, had won the Group One Phoenix Stakes and the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes. First Trump was held up in the early stages, in accordance with his trainer's instructions, before being moved to the outside to make his challenge in the final furlong. He "accelerated instantly"[14] to take the lead in the closing strides and win by a head from his stable companion, the future July Cup winner Owington.[15]

Although First Trump's breeding suggested that he was most unlikely to be effective over longer distances, he was aimed at the 2000 Guineas, but was withdrawn from the race after suffering a ligament injury.[16] Instead, he began his season in late May, when he took on older horses in the Prix du Palais Royal at Longchamp and finished a length and a half second to Young Ern.[17]

His next two races appeared to confirm the doubts about his stamina as he finished unplaced over one mile in the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Between these two races he was sold as a prospective stallion to the National Stud.[18]

A return to sprint distances brought about an improvement in form, but no wins, as he finished second Lake Coniston in both the Prix de Meautry at Deauville and the Diadem Stakes at Ascot.[19] On his final start he finished fourth to Zieten in the Challenge Stakes.