Bred at Stockwell by Mr Theobald, he was a full brother to the mighty Stockwell (ch c 1850 The Baron). Rataplan was foaled the day of Mr Theobald's death. He was purchased by Captain Thellusson and subsequently by Mr T Parr. The Druid noted that, excepting Lanercost and Springy Jack, "there never was a more lazy colt foaled than Rataplan. He would lie down at full length whilst they plaited his mane; and after feeding, would go to sleep with unerring regularity. He generally managed to stumble about twelve times between his box and the downs, and it was never safe to take him out without knee-caps." His back was so strong that it was said no boy could sit him when he threw up his heels. He was thought to go "rather proppy on his long pasterns, and was also a very bad beginner, but the further he went the better he liked it, his custom being to creep up to his horses at the half-distance, and make one effort." Mr Parr apparently issued standard orders to all of Rataplan's jockeys: "Let him alone till he gets into his stride." One jockey who rode him at Edinburgh, Sim Templeman, whilst observing this order thought he could never catch the leaders and was surprised to find himself winning the race.

On the racecourse he won over forty races, including the Ascot Gold Vase and twenty-one Royal Plates. His finest performance was thought to be in the Manchester Cup where he deafeated, among others, Balrownie and Jouvence. In the stud he had less success than his brother, which could be said of most other stallions as well. Among his better known winners and stallion sons are: James Cookson's Derby winner Kettledrum (ch c 1858), the Irish Derby winner and Irish Champion Sire Ben Battle (bbr c 1871), the Queen Alexandra Stakes and Queen's Vase winner Blinkhoolie (b c 1864) who went to France in 1875, the Queen's Vase winner Elland (b c 1862) who also went to France in 1875, W S Crawfurd's St James's Palace Stakes winner Dalnacardoch (b c 1868) and the Great Yorkshire Stakes winner The Miner (ch c 1861).

Rataplan was shot on October 10, 1874, at the age of twenty-three.

Love Wisely ch c 1893 (Wisdom - Lovelorn, by Philammon). Sire Line Birdcatcher. Family 11-e.

Bred by A Hoole, he was first campaigned by Hamar Bass (whose father, Sir William Blass, owned the great Sceptre (b f. 1899 Persimmon)) and, following the death of Mr Bass, by Sir Ernest Cassel. Love Wisely's victory in the Ascot Gold Cup as a three year old was a feat previously managed in the preceding thirty years only by St. Simon (br c 1881 Galopin) and and Marcion (ch c 1890 Royal Hampton).

Described as strong and compact with perfect hocks, he had the misfortune to belong to the same generation as Persimmon (b c 1893 St. Simon) and St Frusquin (br c 1893 St. Simon). He won one of four starts as a two year old. At three he won the Ascot Gold Cup beating Florizel (br c 1891 St. Simon), Laodamia (b f 1890 Kendal) and Sir Visto (b c 1892 Barcaldine), and finished 2nd in the Two Thousand Guineas to St Frusquin by three lengths. From his two starts as a four year old he won the Jockey Club Stakes, beating Velasquez (b c 1894 Donovan) and Chelandry (b f 1894 Goldfinch), and finished 3rd in the Ascot Gold Cup, defeated by Persimmon and Winkfield's Pride (ch c 1893 Winkfield).

In the stud he got the Doncaster Cup winner Amadis (b c 1906), whilst Bridge Of Canny (b c 1903) proved a useful sire in South America getting the good winner and stallion Picacero (b c 1912). He is best known through his daughter, Anchora (ch f 1905), grandam of the One Thousand Guineas winner Fair Isle (bbr f 1927 Phalaris), the St Leger winner and Champion Sire Fairway (b c 1925 Phalaris) and the Champion Sire Pharos (br c 1920 Phalaris). Another daughter, Mandola (ch f 1908), produced the Stewards' Cup winner Tetrameter (ch c 1917 The Tetrarch). Love Wisely stood among the top twenty sires in 1903, 1906 and 1907. He died in June of 1907 from a ruptured bowel.