Sea Chimes was a "tall, lengthy"[4] chestnut horse with a small white star bred in Ireland by the County Tipperary-based Ballykisteen Stud.
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.
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.
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.
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.