Golden Cygnet was sent to Goffs November Sales as an unbroken 3-year-old in 1975, where he was bought by trainer Edward O'Grady for 980 guineas.
It was almost a year before Golden Cygnet appeared on the racetrack again, finishing last in a flat handicap over 2 miles at Listowel in September 1977 before heading to Punchestown the following month for another handicap over a trip that was short of ideal (9 furlongs).