the 1903 eclipse stakes at sandown on 17 july was one of the most anticipated british races of the early 20th century with ard patrick and sceptre facing that year's epsom derby winner, rock sand. the race thus brought together "the three best horses in england", and perhaps "the most valuable field of horses that ever started in a race in any part of the world". the king was among the immense crowd which was drawn to sandown for the "battle of giants". the odds at the start were 5/4 rock sand, 7/4 sceptre and 5/1 ard patrick. ard patrick was settled in third behind rock sand in the early stages by his rider herbert "otto" madden, before going to the front and leading into the straight. as rock sand weakened, sceptre emerged as the only challenger and looked the likely winner a furlong from the finish but ard patrick rallied and got the better of a "desperate finish" to win by a neck with rock sand three lengths away in third. the contest was favourably compared to the race for the 1887 hardwicke stakes between ormonde, minting and bendigo. this was the second time in three attempts that ard patrick had beaten sceptre.