Dante Stakes
In early 1987, Reference Point's training was disrupted by sinus problems, which required surgery, ruling out any possibility of a challenge for the 2000 Guineas. On his three-year-old debut, Reference Point ran in the Dante Stakes at York, a recognised trial race for the Epsom Derby. Reference Point led from the start and ran on strongly in the closing stages to win by a length from Ascot Knight.