Bred by Lord George Bentinck (1802-1848) from his good mare, the One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas and Oaks Stakes winner Crucifix (b f 1837), Surplice was a half brother to Royal Hunt Cup winner Chalice (b f 1852 Orlando) who was later the grandam of the Oaks winner Placida (br f 1874 Lord Lyon). He was foaled early in the year, on January 24. Frightened by his first snowstorm he took a somersault over a stone wall into a garden, and later slipped and fell when on the longe, both incidents enough to cause much anxiety although he was unhurt on either occasion. Measured as a yearling by his owner at 15 hands he was assessed at the time as "rather leggy". He was sold as a two year old to the Hon Edward Lloyd Mostyn and later the same year to Henry Agar-Ellis Clifden (1825-1866), 3rd Viscount Clifden.

Eventually he stood over 16 hands 1 inch and was described as having strong quarters, thighs and back although he was thought rather loose in the back ribs, and his forelegs were said to be very bad. While "no colt had a sweeter temper," he was very quiet and sluggish until roused. His walk was notably ground covering.

Racing for four years, he was undefeated at two and won the Derby Stakes and St Leger Stakes at three, vanquishing both the One Thousand Guineas winner Canezou (br f 1845 Melbourne) and the Two Thousand Guineas winner Flatcatcher (b c 1845 Touchstone) in the latter. It was, however, the Derby result which devastated Lord George Bentinck. His ambition to win the Derby lingered even after he had disposed of his bloodstock in order to devote himself to politics. After Surplice had accomplished the feat it is said that Disraeli came upon Lord George in the House of Commons Library and enquired of him the cause of his dejection. When informed that not only had Surplice won the Derby but that Disraeli could not possibly understand, he answered that he could, that "the Derby was the Blue Ribbon of the Turf". So it is to Surplice and Disraeli we owe the romantic legacy of the Derby as the "Blue Riband of the Turf".

In the stud Surplice got better fillies than colts although his French-foaled son Florin (ch c 1854) won the Poule d'Essai and sired the Prix du Jockey Club winner Florentin (ch c 1863).