Ballinabola Ed was a powerhouse on the racetrack, earning the nickname "White Flash" from prominent UK race announcer Paul Lawrence, a title that perfectly encapsulated the greyhound's incredible speed and left a lasting impression.
Regrettably, the illustrious son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady has now retired. His owner, Brendan Murphy, confirmed this news recently, although it wasn’t entirely unexpected since Ed turned four in June and had raced sparingly over the past year.
A Born Star
From the outset, it was clear that Ballinabola Ed was destined for greatness. Although his debut in the opening round of the Juvenile Classic in early 2022 didn’t go as planned, his early performances hinted at the potential for something extraordinary.
That promise was realised in his third race, a trial stake for the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Tralee, where he not only secured his first victory but also set a new track record for the 525-yard distance. This stunning entrance onto the Irish racing scene was just the beginning of a remarkable career that would see many more jaws drop.
Proving His Mettle
Thrown into the deep end at the 2022 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial in Limerick, Ballinabola Ed quickly proved that his record-breaking run at Tralee was no fluke. He dazzled in the early rounds, with times of 28.23 and 28.15, reaching the final only to be hampered by traffic when it mattered most.
This wouldn’t be the last time bad luck struck in his debut season. Competing against the best in both the English and Irish Derby, Ballinabola Ed became a household name within the sport, known for his immense talent despite his misfortunes.
A Dual Derby Favorite
After the disappointment in the Kirby final, trainer Pat Buckley shifted his focus to the English Derby. Three rounds into the competition, the "White Flash" was already a hot favourite for the title.
However, fate was unkind once again in the quarter-finals, where traffic on multiple turns saw him narrowly miss out on a semi-final spot, despite being the standout dog in the race. Determined to move past this setback, Buckley and Murphy aimed for Irish Derby success. Ed impressed in the early rounds but was once more thwarted by a slow start and early crowding, leading to a third-round exit.
A Triumphant End to a Challenging Year
The year 2022 concluded on a high note, though, with Ballinabola Ed taking advantage of a longer run to the corner in the Winter Racing Festival Open 575. On a frigid winter evening, he outclassed a top-tier field, winning by a wide margin in a blazing 30.72. It was a fitting end to a year that was as frustrating as it was brilliant, and marked the beginning of what was to come in 2023.
Finally, a Classic Victory
After a four-month hiatus, Ballinabola Ed returned to action at Limerick, winning an open 550-yard race before heading to Dublin for the Shelbourne Open 600. In one of the most popular events of the year, the fan-favorite greyhound was in peak form, dominating the early rounds and securing his first classic victory.
Although he stumbled at the start of the final, Ed's lightning-fast recovery saw him surge to the front down the back straight, eventually winning by a length in 32.49. It wasn’t his most spectacular performance, but it earned him the classic victory that his remarkable talent had always promised.
Summer 2023: More Glory
Ballinabola Ed continued his impressive form in the summer of 2023, claiming victory in the Race of Champions. Just a fraction off the track record, he defeated the previous year’s Oaks champion, Raha Mofo, by a length with a sizzling 29.23. Although he suffered a narrow defeat in his next race at the Dundalk International, his run was nothing short of spectacular.
Ed’s remaining four races in 2023 were marked by a mix of near-misses and bad luck, culminating in a second-round Derby exit, a midfield finish in the UK’s Select Stakes, and a final race in the Winter Racing Festival Open 575, where he was narrowly beaten after picking up an injury.
A Brief Comeback
Despite the injury, Ballinabola Ed attempted a comeback, making it to the quarter-finals of the English Derby and showing glimpses of his former brilliance. However, that quarter-final loss would turn out to be his final race, and hopes of seeing him dominate Irish tracks once more faded.
The Swashbuckler of the Track
Ballinabola Ed was more than just a greyhound; he was a true personality in the racing world. Like a film star from the golden age of cinema, his presence on the track was thrilling and unforgettable. With his retirement, the racing world has lost a true icon, a dog with the speed, power, and class to compete at any distance.
Pat Buckley, who had guided Ed throughout his career, spoke highly of his star, calling him a “superb greyhound, a machine,” and marvelled at his achievements despite the challenges. Buckley remarked that it was incredible for Ed to have been a favourite for both the English and Irish Derbies with so few races under his belt, and wished he had a kennel full of dogs like him.
A New Chapter Begins
Recently, Pat Buckley shared that Ballinabola Ed has become a father to ten pups from one of their own brood bitches, Ambey Bamby, a half-sister to Oaks champion Ballymac Beanie and the exceptional Pestana. Buckley and other breeders hope that Ed’s brilliance will be passed on to his offspring. Now standing with Richard and Michael Cully of Coonough Kennels, it’s likely that we’ll hear much more about Ballinabola Ed in the future.
As he transitions from the racetrack to a new role in breeding, we bid farewell to the "White Flash" with fond memories of his electrifying performances. Here's to hoping that his legacy continues to shine through his progeny.