The Marquis won the Champagne Stakes at
Doncaster Racecourse and the Prendergast Stakes at Newmarket as a two-year-old in 1861. In the spring of 1862 he won the
2,000 Guineas Stakes, beating Caterer by half a length. After the race he was surrounded by his Yorkshire supporters, some of whom narrowly escaped injury when he kicked out. He started favourite for
The Derby and led for most of the way before being overtaken in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the outsider
Caractacus. His jockey, Tom Ashmall, who had ridden the colt to victory in the Guineas, was criticised for going to the front too soon. Tom Challoner took over the ride when The Marquis started second favourite for the
St. Leger Stakes on 18 September. He was not among the early leaders but moved to the front on the turn into the straight. Throughout the closing stages he was strongly challenged by the favourite Buckstone, and looked beaten at one point before rallying in the final strides to win by a head. ==Stud career==