Prix Jean Prat
Marsyas's early career took place during the Second World War which meant that he was confined to racing in his home country. During his three-year-old season in 1943, France's most important racecourse, Longchamp was closed and many important races were run at alternative venues. He won the Prix Berteux at Maisons-Laffitte and was placed in the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix Royal Oak, both of which were run at Le Tremblay. In the following season, Marsyas showed much improved form, winning most of France's top long-distance races including the Pix du Cadran at Le Tremblay, Prix Kergorlay (Le Tremblay), Prix Jean Prat (Maisons-Laffitte) and the Prix Gladiateur (Le Tremblay). The last-named race was run over the extreme distance of 6,200 metres (almost four miles). He finished unplaced for the only time in his career in the 1944 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over 2,400 metres. In 1945 Marsyas won the Prix Jean Prat at Maisons-Laffitte and Prix du Cadran at Le Tremblay.