Snap was bred in partnership by Cuthbert Routh and Lord Portmore, the latter having given a half-share in Snap's dam to Mr Routh in 1741. After Routh's death, he was purchased at the dispersal sale by Jenison Shafto, whose family came from Durham although he lived afterwards at Wratting near Newmarket. [Early Records:24]. Later described as a very fine, powerful horse, as a yearling Snap was valued at £70 in Routh's stud book.

During his successful turf career Snap twice met Marske on the Beacon Course for 1000 guineas and defeated him each time. He also won the Free Plate at York. Snap ran in the colours of Lord Sandwich although he was the property of Mr Shafto.

In the stud for twenty-one years, he sired 261 winners of £92,637. His most noteworthy sons were Latham's Snap and Goldfinder. Other sons of note include Juniper (b c 1767), bred by John Holme, who twice won the Doncaster Cup, and Snap [Chedworth's] (b c 1760), sire of Carver* (b c 1770). Highly regarded by breeders in America he was there represented by a number of sons: Lofty* (bl c 1760), sent to America in 1773, Mexican* (b c 1775), sire of Dictator (b c 1790) and Juliet (f), the dam of Old Roxana (br f 1798 Marplot*), Snap* (br c 1757), also called Hazard, was sent to South Carolina in 1767, and Snipe* (b c 1762), was also sent to South Carolina in 1772.

Old Snap was Champion Sire in 1767, 1768, 1769 and 1771, and died at West Wratting in 1777.