Sea Chimes

Sea Chimes finished unplaced in his first three starts as a two-year-old in 1978, racing over six furlongs on each occasion. He was moved up in distance for a maiden race over one mile at Sandown Park Racecourse in October and showed improved form, staying on strongly in the closing stages to finish third of the twenty runners behind Red Rufus.[2]

In 1979 Sea Chimes finished third on his seasonal debut but then made rapid improvement when competing in handicap races. He won twice at Newmarket Racecourse over ten furlongs and once over the same distance at Epsom. He was then moved up in distance for the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and "romped home" by six lengths from Barley Hill.[3] He subsequently contracted a viral infection and missed the rest of the season.

After an absence of almost ten months, Sea Chimes returned in the City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom in April. Carrying top weight of 140 pounds he recorded his fifth successive victory as he won by three lengths from Joleg. He extended his winning streak by beating Red Rufus and King's Ride in the Spring Handicap at Doncaster and was then moved into weight-for-age company for the Clive Graham takes at Kempton Park Racecourse. Sea Chimes produced an impressive performance as he quickened away from his rivals in the closing stages to win by four lengths from New Berry.[4]

In June Sea Chimes was made the 5/4 favourite for the 75th running of the Coronation Cup at Epsom. His three opponents were Niniski, Soleil Noir (Grand Prix de Paris) and Valour (Grosser Preis von Baden). Ridden by Lester Piggott he took the lead from the start and kicked clear of his rivals in the straight to win by two and a half lengths from Niniski. A month later, Sea Chimes was brought back in distance for the Eclipse Stakes over ten furlongs at Sandown Park Racecourse in which he was ridden by Pat Eddery. After disputing the lead for most of the way he faded in the straight and finished fourth behind Ela-Mana-Mou, Hello Gorgeous and Gregorian. He sustained a leg injury in the race and did not run again in 1980. Shortly before the Eclipse Stakes, a half-share in the horse had been bought by the American Dogwood Stable.[4]

Sea Chimes remained in training with Dunlop in the early part of 1981 but ran poorly in his first two races, finishing fourth behind Pelerin in the Ormonde Stakes and last of the ten runners in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. He was then transferred to race in the United States where he raced five times before the end of the season producing his best effort when finishing a close third to Spruce Needles in the Arlington Handicap.[7]

In 1982 Sea Chimes was trained by Gerald Rich in the United States but failed to win or finish better than fourth in seven races.[8]