Bred by James Ferguson, a Catterick Bridge innkeeper, he was sold for 1000 guineas after his success in the St Leger to John Clifton. His dam had only two other live foals and died in 1819 the day after foaling a brother to Antonio. Mr Clifton also bred the St Leger winner Fyldener (b c 1803 Sir Peter Teazle) and the One Thousand Guineas winner Chapeau d'Espagne (b f 1834 Doctor Syntax).

His turf career appears to have been remarkably limited since he did nothing before the St Leger and little after it. In 1819 he won a greatly disputed version of the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, beating Mr Peirse's Wrangler (b c 1816 Walton) and Lord Eglinton's Archibald (b c 1816 Stamford). Much consternation preceded the race due to the breakdown of the favoured Sultan (b c 1816 Selim) during a preparatory gallop. The race itself was sent off leaving five horses at the post. The stewards then declared it a false race and sent the remaining contenders off again, which edition was won by Colonel Cradock's Sir Walter (b c 1816 Whitworth). However, Mr Ferguson declined to start Antonio a second time since the starter, Mr Lockwood, was satisfied with the first edition. The problem was eventually resolved by the Jockey Club who agreed with the starter and the judge and awarded the race to Antonio. In 1820 he finished second in a 30 guineas each sweepstakes at York, won by Wrangler, and second in a 50 guineas each sweepstakes over the St Leger course at Doncaster, won by E Petre's The Laird (ch c 1816 Stamford).

In the stud he appears to have gotten little besides the Chester Cup winner Fylde (b c 1824) who was sent to Virginia and was, perhaps surprisingly, a useful stallion there.

Antonio died at Preston in February of 1828 at the age of twelve.