1999: two-year-old season Observatory began his racing career by winning a
maiden race at
Yarmouth Racecourse but when moved up in class he finished last of the four runners in the
Mill Reef Stakes. On his final appearance of the year he returned to Yarmouth and won a minor race over six furlongs in October.
2000: three-year-old season Observatory began his second season by finishing second in a Listed race at
Newmarket Racecourse on 3 June and was then sent to
Royal Ascot for the Group Three Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs. He started at odds of 11/2 in a nineteen-runner field and won by one and a half lengths from Umistim. At
Goodwood Racecourse on 4 August he added a win in the Lennox Stakes, beating Three Points by one and half lengths but in the
Celebration Mile at the same course later that month he was beaten into second by
Medicean. On 23 September Observatory started a 14/1 outsider for the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
Giant's Causeway started favourite in a field which also included Medicean, Best of the Bests (
Prix Guillaume d'Ornano), Indian Lodge (
Prix du Moulin) and
Crimplene. After placing the colt just behind the leaders, Kevin Darley produced the colt with a sustained run down the centre of the straight to take the lead inside the final furlong and win by half a length from Giant's Causeway.
2001: four-year-old season On his first appearance as a four-year-old, Observatory was sent to France for the Group One Prix d'Ispahan over 1850 metres at
Longchamp Racecourse on 20 May. Starting the 11/10 favourite against four opponents he took the lead over 200 metres from the finish and held off a challenge from Hightori to win by a short head. At Royal Ascot in June he finished fourth behind
Fantastic Light,
Kalanisi and Hightori in the
Prince of Wales's Stakes. He did not race again and was retired to stud at the end of the season. ==Stud career==