BRILLIANT BEACH HAS RUN HIS FINAL RACE
Ian Fortune
It was confirmed in recent days that one of the fastest, most consistent and most popular greyhounds in training is set for retirement with the news that Seven Beach has run his final race.
Jennifer O’Donnell, who was responsible for the son of Pestana since birth, had hinted that it was on the horizon before making the final call.
It marks the end of a racing career that saw him get better with age, culminating with one of the most impressive six-month spells of any greyhound this century. At a time in the sport when early speed is at such a premium, Seven Beach was golden. A natural trapper, allied with tremendous pace into the turn, he was virtually unstoppable in his prime.
A STAR FROM THE START
It was clear from the early days that he had an abundance of talent.
He began his journey to the top, like so many, at Kilkenny in the 2023 Champion Open Unraced. A winner in 28.97 (.30 slow) on debut, you didn’t need to be aclairvoyantto know he was destined for big things.
A week on, he was every bit as impressive, again showing fine early speed to come home clear in 29.02. Opening bend traffic cost him in the semis, but he had already given notice that he was set for a bright career.
He found bad traffic in the opening round of the produce Stakes but returned to Kilkenny for his sixth career start and produced a sensational run to again highlight his incredible ability. Flying around in 28.51, the third fastest time ever done at the venue, he left connections with no choice but to target big prizes.
A FIRST DERBY CAMPAIGN
And so, he was off to Shelbourne Park for a crack at the 2023 Irish Greyhound Derby.
It would be the first of three Derby challenges. Despite his youth and inexperience, he would go all the way to the semi-finals where early traffic would end his challenge.
He would have just a handful of starts through the remainder of his first year but signed off in style, beating a talented field in the Winter Racing Festival Juvenile 525 in a rapid 28.13.
BACK FOR 2024
He returned in 2024 but was lightly raced through the opening six months of the year before rocking up to Thurles for the Tipperary Cup, eventually running up the famous competition.
His experience at different tracks was starting to pay dividends and, after another win at his beloved Kilkenny, he returned to Shelbourne Park in August to win a 525/550yd Dual Distance competition, posting a brilliant 29.18 in the final.
The Derby was now on the horizon but first he ran in the TIME Greyhound Nutrition 550 and ran into a certain Bockos Diamond. In the semi-finals of the competition, the pair went toes to toe with Bockos Diamond emerging on top by a head. He may have suffered defeat but Seven Beach got closer to subsequent Derby champion Bockos Diamond than any greyhound did all year.
He again took his chance in the Derby and proceeded to reach the semi-finals for the second year running but it wasn’t meant to be. Despite ending the year with defeat in the Derby, he was about to go to another level.
AN UNPRECEDENTED SIX MONTHS
Seven Beach was ready to tell the world what he was about.
He returned in 2025 and had the bit between his teeth from the start. A superb opening round winner in the Gold Cup, posting 28.16, he coasted through the early season showpiece to line out in the stripes in the decider.
He had a little luck in the final, capitalizing when Carrick Aldo went lame, but this was just the start. After capturing the first major title of his career, he didn’t have to wait long for another. He was flawless through the Select Stakes at Waterford, wining the €10,000 final in typically professional, front-running fashion.
Next it was on to Tralee for the aptly named Race of Champions. Scarcely has a big competition been won in more commanding fashion. Breaking the track record with a massive 29.15 return in the semi-finals, he returned the following weekend and bettered his own mark.
The 13-8 favourite, Seven Beach produced the most perfect display. He catapulted from boxes and was clear from the opening yards. Crossing the winning line on the run to the opening turn, he had three and a half lengths on his nearest rival. By halfway he was over five lengths to the good and still he piled on the pressure.
Callaway Knegare ran on well to take second but Seven Beach was imperious, taking almost a length off his own track record, stopping the clock in 29.09. It’s a record that could stand the test of time. With this latest success, he brought his four-month earnings to over €40,000 but still he wasn’t done.
CROWNED A CHAMPION
It was then back to Shelbourne Park for the Champion Stakes.
He was picked up late in the semis but safely qualified in third and was immediately installed favourite to claim a fourth major prize in six months.
Ballymac Danica made a flying start in the final to lead early but Seven Beach was on the crest of a wave and willing to ride it all the way to the presentation area. Joining his rival on the bend, he put the foot down as they hit the back straight.
Producing a most decisive turn of foot, he opened up by a couple of lengths at halfway. By the third turn, he was almost three lengths clear. Despite tiring a little on the run in, Seven Beach raced to yet another brilliant victory on the big stage.
He joined some of the most famous names in the history of the sport on the Champion Stakes role of honour before being given a well-earned rest.
A FINAL DERBY CHALLENGE
He returned for a third crack at the Irish Derby and came home in front in the opening round despite not looking a hundred percent.
It was even more clear in the second round that he just wasn’t fully firing and it was perhaps no surprise to see him make his exit in the third round.
He would return in March of the year for a sprint at Cork, finishing third, but Father Time was starting to catch up. Persistent niggles meant that he couldn’t produce his brilliant best anymore and the decision was made to retire the sensational tracker.
WHAT A CAREER
During a racing career that spanned almost three years, he provided his owners, the Beach Boys Trio with some incredible nights and lasting memories.
For dual Derby-winning trainer Jennifer O’Donnell, he was a shining light for so long.
Blessed with the type of early speed that you can only dream of, he was consistent in the extreme, gallant as the day is long and had a real touch of class. His career earnings topped €80k but more importantly, he built up a huge fanbase who couldn’t but help fall in love with the striking son of Pestana and Whitings Gift.
A NEW BEGINNING
He is now destined for a new career at stud and breeders won’t be shy about coming forward.
Bred in the purple as a son of Pestana, who much like his son had stunning early speed and was a superstar on the track, while his dam Whitings Gift was also very talented.
She was sold out of Clonmel and established herself as real prospect in the UK only to have her career ended abruptly through injury. A daughter of former Brood Bitch of the Year, Mountaylor Queen, she is a half-sister to two Derby winners in Born Warrior and The Other Kobe.
In short, Seven Beach had all the qualities needed in a racing greyhound, was expertly handled through his career and is bred to be champion. He will no doubt throw a few champions in the future but, for the moment, we can just remember fondly the many nights he lit up the track. Happy retirement champ.