Bred by H Robinson, he was a full brother to Minx (b f 1835 Humphrey Clinker) who was the dam of the Royal Hunt Cup winner Sir Charles (b c 1847 Hetman Platoff) and the Ebor Handicap winner The Grand Inquisitor (bbr c 1851 Cowl). Standing 16 hands high his general good looks were thought to be somewhat marred by lack of depth and shoulders verging a little on the straight side. He was considered an easy horse to ride, equally comfortable on straightaways or corners. He later belonged to John Kirby of York. He was said to have been offered to Sidney Herbert (later Lord Herbert of Lea) for 250 guineas but rejected on account of his bad knees. Retained by his owner to race he proved a creditable if not high-class winner and despite his length once he reached his stride few could overtake him.

His mare book was limited to lesser mares until the arrival of his classic winning son Sir Tatton Sykes in 1843 after which he gained enormous popularity. In all he got seven classics winners including the first triple crown winner West Australian (b c 1850) through whom the Matchem sire line was borne into the twentieth century. He transmitted strength, vitality and stamina to his progeny and was Champion Sire in 1853 and 1857. Melbourne died at York in 1859.