In our quest to uncover the most outstanding racing debuts at Shelbourne Park, we owe a special thanks to John Carr and Anthony Dwyer for bringing one of the finest performances to light.
A name that consistently appears on this growing list is from the Kennedy family’s kennels, and the latest to join that elite group is Belles Direction.
Though his racing career was short-lived, Belles Direction made an unforgettable impact with his debut in October 2014. With an electrifying 1.94 sectional, the son of Droopys Cain stormed around Shelbourne in a remarkable time of 28.24, winning his first race in breathtaking style. Unfortunately, his career was cut short by injury, but he has since sired several speedy offspring.
Amazing Dude’s Similar Rise
Recalling Belles Direction naturally brings to mind Amazing Dude, another standout greyhound.
The parallels between the two are hard to ignore. Like Belles Direction, Amazing Dude, a powerful black greyhound, also had an incredible debut. In March 2015, the son of Royal Patrol soared around Shelbourne, clocking an impressive 28.33.
He advanced to the Produce Stakes final as the 1-2 favourite, only to be hindered by traffic but still managed to finish second behind Ballybough Mondo. Despite a brief career, he remained a top contender, winning his first and second rounds in the Derby in August 2015.
Ballymac Ariel: A Spectacle in Defeat
Kevin Murphy rightly pointed out that Ballymac Ariel deserves recognition, even though her debut didn’t end in victory.
Kevin noted in his email, “Perhaps not in terms of time, but I’m sure both you and I would agree, Ballymac Ariel gave one of the most impressive debuts we’ve ever seen.”
It's hard to argue otherwise. Ballymac Ariel qualified in a jaw-dropping 27.92 but faced tough competition in her first race, finishing third with a time of 28.37. After a sluggish start, she fell far behind but displayed extraordinary speed to work her way back into contention. Her blistering pace hinted at the powerhouse she would become—and that prediction certainly came true.