was killed when his throat was cut in his stable at Listowel. His death was the subject of a court case the following year in which his bankrupt owner was accused of the "malicious destruction" of the stallion to prevent him falling into the hands of his creditors. St. Gatien was ridden in most of his races by Charles Wood, who won the Championship in 1887. Wood was a controversial figure who was later "warned off" (banned from racing) for almost nine years for his involvement in illegal betting and suspected race-fixing. Racing career 1883: two-year-old season St. Gatien was unbeaten in three minor races as a two-year-old. His wins were in the Teddington Plate at Kempton, the John O’Gaunt Plate at Manchester Racecourse and the Little John Plate at Nottingham. The combined value of the three was less than £500. 1884: three-year-old season Epsom Derby In April, St. Gatien made his first appearance in the betting lists for The Derby, being backed at odds of 40/1. A correspondent for Bell's Life had little to say in his favour at this time, pointing out that the races he had won had been very poorly contested. The Sportsman noted that he was supposedly a difficult horse to ride, but admitted that his connections (his owner and trainer and their associates) were among the "shrewdest people on the turf" and would be unlikely to waste their money backing a horse with no chance. St. Gatien, who had not been entered for the 2000 Guineas, made his three-year-old debut in The Derby. The customary huge crowd was in attendance, despite the "cold and cheerless" weather. St. Gatien was not a popular choice with the public but was reportedly backed by the "sharps" (those with inside knowledge) and started at odds of 100/8 in a field of fifteen runners, the filly Queen Adelaide going off the 5/2 favourite. St. Gatien was one of the early leaders before being settled by his jockey, Charles Wood. At Tattenham corner, St. Gatien moved into contention again on the outside as the field was led by Borneo and Richmond. Shortly after the turn into the straight Wood sent St. Gatien into the lead, closely followed by Sam Loates on Harvester. The two colts pulled clear of their opponents and a "tremendous struggle" ensued as they raced "locked together" throughout the closing stages. Well inside the final furlong St.