Bred in Suffolk by Augustus Henry Fitzroy (1735-1811), 3rd Duke of Grafton, at Euston Hall, near Thetford, on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, Whalebone was a brother to the Derby winner Whisker (b c 1812 Waxy) and a half-brother to the One Thousand Guineas winner Whizgig (ch f 1819 Rubens). The Duke had also bred their dam, the remarkable matron Penelope (b f 1798 Trumpator). He was sold as a five year old to Mr R Ladbroke and after the latter's death, Whalebone was sold by Tattersalls in 1814 to George O'Brien Wyndham (1751-1837), 3rd Earl of Egremont, Petworth, Sussex.

"The Druid" noted that "short legs, high-bred nostrils and very prominent eyes were the principal trade-marks of the Waxy stock, and the mottled-brown Whalebone was the smallest among them. The standard could never make him more than fifteen hands and half an inch; and as he did not seem likely to become fashionable (as a sire), he was sold at seven, for 510 gs. His old Petworth groom, Dryman, says of him that 'he was the lowest and longest, and most double jointed horse, with the best legs and worst feet I ever saw in my life.' The Earl of Egremont tried to train him after he bought him, with Octavius [630 guineas], at Mr Ladbroke's sale, but he never ran after he came into the Earl's possession. When in training his chief occupation was to rear and knock his hoofs together like a pair of castanettes. His hunters were good, and mostly bays or browns, and Myrrha and Sir Hercules were the last of his racing stock."

Running for four years, mostly at Newmarket, he won thirteen races, walked-over for one and collected a forfeit six times. His most significant win came in the 1810 Derby when he beat nine others including the Two Thousand Guineas winner Hephestion (b c 1807 Alexander) and the One Thousand Guineas winner Pledge (b f 1807 Waxy). Taking the lead early, he was never caught and won easily.

Noted for his stamina rather than his speed, although possessed of a considerable turn of foot, he enjoyed great success in the stud, getting two Derby winners, Lap-Dog (b c 1823) and Spaniel (b c 1828), and an Oaks winner, Caroline (b f 1817). Through four sons, Camel (br c 1822), Defence (b c 1824), Sir Hercules (bl c 1826) and Waverley (br c 1817) he founded successful sire lines.

Camel is the tail-male ancestor of Domino (br c 1891 Himyar) and his descendant Broad Brush (b c 1983 Ack Ack), Dr. Fager (b c 1964 Rough'n Tumble) and Hyperion (ch c 1930 Gainsborough). Defence founded a successful line in France through his grandson Monarque (b c 1852 The Emperor) with Sardanapale (b c 1911 Prestige) a notable stallion in the last century. Waverley descends through Bonnie Scotland* (b c 1853 Iago) to Sweep (br c 1907 Ben Brush). By far the most influential is the line belonging to Sir Hercules which descends to the present through Stockwell (ch c 1849 The Baron) to Phalaris (br c 1913 Polymelus), to whom most living thoroughbreds trace in tail-male.

Whalebone was Champion Sire in 1826 and 1827. He is said to have broken a blood vessel after covering the mare Ogress and died the following day, February 6, 1831.