Reliance was not raced as a two-year-old and made his debut when winning the Prix Moronniers in April 1965. He was then moved up in class for the Prix Hocquart, a trial race for the Prix du Jockey Club, run over 2,400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse in May. He won the race, defeating the Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Carvin. With the outstanding French colt Sea-Bird engaged in The Derby Reliance started the 1/2 favourite for the Prix du Jockey Club over 2400m at Chantilly Racecourse in June. Reliance won by three-quarters of a length from Diatome, a colt who went on to win the Washington, D.C. International Stakes later that year, with Carvin third. Three weeks later, Reliance moved up in distance for the Grand Prix de Paris over 3000m at Longchamp. He started the 11/10 favourite and won by a length, with Diatome again taking second. After a two-month break, Reliance prepared for a meeting with Sea-Bird by running in the 3,100m Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in September. He took his unbeaten record to five by beating the Irish-trained Ragazzo, the winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes on his previous start. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe attracted a strong international field, with the usual strong challenges from Britain, Italy and Ireland augmented by the presence of Tom Rolfe from the United States and Anilin from the Soviet Union. Reliance tracked the leaders on the inside rail before moving up to challenge for the lead in the straight. Although he was unable to cope with the speed of Sea Bird, who drew clear in the closing stages to win by six lengths, Reliance finished five lengths clear of the other runners, who were headed by Diatome.
Assessment
The independent Timeform organisation awarded Reliance a rating of 137 in 1965. In the 1960s only Sea Bird, Vaguely Noble and Exbury were ranked more highly. In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Reliance the eleventh best French racehorse of the 20th century, and placed him fifty-fifth in their global ranking.
Stud record
Reliance was based in England for his stud career, standing at the Harwood Stud in Newbury, Berkshire. He had his greatest success as a sire of stayers, with his progeny including Proverb, Recupere and Tug of War. He was also the sire of the broodmare Doubly Sure, the dam of Kris and Diesis. Other daughters produced the champion sprinter Moorestyle, the Ascot Gold Cup winner Longboat and the St. James's Palace Stakes winner Persian Heights. Reliance was euthanised in August 1979 after suffering from a chronic sinus condition.
