BRILLIANT BROADSTRAND SYD BOWS OUT AT THE TOP
Ian Fortune
Broadstrand Syd has run his final race.
One of the best greyhounds of the modern era, he produced some of the finest displays seen on the track since the turn of the century and will be forever be remembered as a sensational winner of the 2024 Irish Sprint Cup.
Johnny Linehan, who guided him through his career, confirmed the news stating his star has picked up a small problem in this year’s Irish Sprint Cup and wouldn’t make it back in time for a Laurels bid. With persistent niggles hindering his racing career, Johnny along with the dog’s lucky owners, Vincent O’Donovan, Billy Drake and Kieran Ryan, have made the right decision to call it a day and retire their superstar to stud.
A PRECOCIOUS TALENT
The Broadstrand Syd story began in late 2023 when as a raw youngster he posted 28.41 in his first qualifying trial around Curraheen Park.
It was clear he was potentially very special and was put away until early summer when debuting at Kilkenny in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced Stake.
He may have suffered defeat on the night but the form didn’t work out badly. Broadstrand Syd led for much of the way only to be collared late by a dog named Moanteen Wildcat. The latter would subsequently be renamed Bockos Diamond.
A week later, Broadstrand Syd would again display awesome early speed to reverse the form with Bockos Diamond. It would be the only defeat subsequent Derby champion Bockos Diamond would suffer in 2024. The pair would meet again in the final with Broadstrand Syd starting favourite but he took a bump in the early stages and,despite setting the pace, would fail to contain Bockos Diamond.
Next it was on to Cork for the valuable David Fitzgibbon Memorial Open 525. Posting a brilliant 28.12 and 28.24 in the prelims, he would run out of luck in the final when missing the start and finding bad traffic on the turn.
Despite finishing a long way behind, he had already confirmed his standing as one of the very best and sharpest in training. It was clear to anyone who had witnessed him in the flesh that he was tailor made for Dundalk’s 400yd trip and he was aimed at the Irish Sprint Cup.
THE KING OF DUNDALK
For as good as he looked at Kilkenny and Curraheen Park, it was at the Dundalk that he truly earned his legendary status.
After moving well in a trial ahead of the classic, Broadstrand Syd was handed a tough assignment in the opening round where he had to take on proven top class sprinters Road Exile and Ballinakil Alf.
In what was his first start over two bends, he left scorch marks on the sand. The sensationally fast puppy left his rivals standing as he raced to a magnificent five length victory over two-time Sprinter of the Year nominee Road Exile.
Posting a scarcely believable 20.57, the August ’22 whelp took an incredible sixteen spots off the previous track record of Brodys Magic. It was truly one of the greatest runs ever seen on Irish soil.
He would be virtually flawless through the stake, with the exceptional of second place finish in the third round behind the defending champion Carrick Aldo.
He returned a week later to win his semi-final in a near-record 20.60 before going to traps a hot favourite to claim a first classic success. Despite giving a couple of his rivals a head start, Broadstrand Syd flew into the turn before staying tight to the fence to assume control as they turned for home. Elite Kursk pushed him hard but Broadstrand Syd powered to the line to emerge a deserving and most impressive winner.
To this day, Broadstrand Syd is responsible for the three fastest times ever recorded for the 400yd trip at Dundalk
Owners of Sprinter of the Year Broadstrand Syd and Stud Dog of the Year Droopys Sydney
A 2025 RETURN
Sadly, going at such speed took its toll and Broadstrand Syd would be off the track for the remainder of 2024 with small issues.
He would lose a toe but it was a real treat to see him return to the track earlier this summer.
It was clear he badly needed his comeback run when picked up late in a 525yd contest at Curraheen Park. A fortnight later, at the same track, he returned to winning ways as he posted a sizzling 3.20 sectional to lower the colours of this year’s Gold Cup, Select Stakes, Race of Champions and Champions Stakes winner Seven Beach in 28.20.
It was remarkable that after such a long layoff he could return to such incredible form. He had two more runs over the 525ytd trip at Curraheen Park, finishing off the pace in his penultimate outing, but he signed off in some style.
In what would be his final ever four-bend outing, he would fly from traps and make every inch in a 28.02 success. Fittingly, he produced a typically brilliant 3.18 sectional.
BACK TO HIS BEST AT DUNDALK
A month later, he was back on the classic trail and took his place in the opening round of the Irish Sprint Cup in an attempt to defend his crown.
He may have been a year older and had to overcome injury concerns but the sensational pace and ability was still there.
Flawless through the preliminary rounds, he won in 20.77, 20.70, 20.91 and 20.91 to take his place in the decider. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be for Broadstrand Syd. He was handed a tough draw in three with Droopys Patriot on his immediate inside and the pair would clash on the turn.
Southwind Wild would emerge a good winner but Broadstrand Syd would go out on his shield, storming home to finish less than a length away in third. It would be the final time we would see him on the track but he left us in no doubt that he was truly special.
HEADING ‘HOME’ FOR STUD DUTIES
He is now to return ‘home’ to the Dunphy brothers in Portlaw where he will take up duties at the famous Droopys Stud.
As a son of the daddy of them all Droopys Sydney and brilliant tracker and wonderfully bred Droopys Alice, he is certainly bred for the job.
But the reason breeders will be queuing up to use him is down to his sensational ability. Blessed with the most incredible early speed, he was a joy to behold.His third bend sectionals at Kilkenny are untouchable, his track record at Dundalk for the 400yds is one of the finest in the country, while he also had the consistency, determination and constitution to maintain his form through a classic.
Dogs like Broadstrand Syd don’t come around too often. We wish him a long and healthy retirement from the track and look forward to seeing his progeny scorching to the corner in the future. Thanks for the memories champ.