Helen Street was a "big, rangy, quite attractive"[2] bay mare with a small white star bred and owned by Arnold Weinstock and Michael Sobell of the Ballymacoll Stud.
[3] She was descended from the influential British broodmare Sunny Gulf who was the female-line ancestor of numerous major winners including Sun Princess, Conduit, Neo Universe, Millenary, Petrushka and Spectrum.
In the following month the filly was sent to France and stepped up in class and distance to contest the Group 3 Prix du Calvados (a race which her mother had won in 1978) over 1400 metres at Deauville Racecourse.
[2] On her first appearance as a three-year-old Helen Street contested the Nell Gwyn Stakes (a trial for the 1000 Guineas) over even furlongs at Newmarket on 18 April and finished third behind Oh So Sharp and Bella Colora.
[5] On 20 August Helen Street started the 8/11 favourite for the Yorkshire Oaks but was beaten in a close finish as she took third, three quarters of a length and a head behind Sally Brown and Kiliniski.
In the Irish Champion Stakes at Phoenix Park Racecourse on 8 September she reached fourth place early in the straight but then looked outpaced and finished sixth behind Commanche Run, Bob Back, Damister, Scottish Reel and Baillamont with Theatrical in seventh and Triptych tenth of the eleven runners.
On her final European start, Helen Street was one of ten horses to contest an exceptionally strong renewal of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket on 19 October, and finished fourth behind Pebbles, Slip Anchor and Palace Music.