Bred and raced by Henry Stawel Bilson-Legge [1757-1820], 2nd Baron Stawell, who also bred his dam, the latter a sister to Ringtail (b f 1801 Buzzard) who won the July Stakes. Pantina also produced Pandour (ch c 1813 Walton) who finished 3rd in Prince Leopold's (b c 1813 Hedley) Derby as well as winning the Swinley Stakes at Ascot. Blucher won 4 races in 1814, including the Derby, at a "tremendous pace," winning by a neck from Perchance within the final strides.

Blucher was named after Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (nicknamed "Marschall Vorwärts") who made his way to Newmarket in 1815 and there learning that his namesake had won the previous year's Derby requested to see him. Lord Stawell sent for Blucher and got jockey William Arnull to give him a gallop in front of the Stand, after which Blücher himself mounted and rode the horse, advising after dismounting that he was "much pleased with his easy style of going".

Although he left no important sons in the stud he got the occasional runner and also left several useful mares whose effect was felt for a few generations.