A brilliant performance from Bouncing Monarch lit up the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Final at Limerick on Saturday night as the exciting young star stormed to victory in a new track record time of 27.77.
Trained by Michael O’Donovan, Bouncing Monarch showed electric early pace, flying from traps and immediately taking control of the race. From that moment on, the result was never in doubt, as he powered around the circuit with authority to claim the prestigious title and the €80,000.
On a night where the standard of racing was exceptionally high, the finals of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 and the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 were also down for decision. The Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 has long served as a high-quality supporting act to the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, and the 2026 renewal of the €5,000-to-the-winner contest went the way of Brickhill Moana, who produced a near carbon-copy of her semi-final success to bring her career tally to twelve victories.
Trained by Vincent McKenna for Clare natives Albert Long and John Collins, Brickhill Moana went to traps as a 2/1 chance following a 28.27 demolition job in the semi-finals. On this occasion, she again pinged from trap three to immediately put her rivals under pressure. Chased early by Boozed Bonnie on the inside, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes held a two-length advantage before extending further down the back straight, as Kilcolgan Eddie showed marked improvement to move into second. Kilcolgan Eddie looked a serious threat rounding the closing bends; however, Brickhill Moana held firm, staying on strongly to score by a length and a half in a brilliant 28.24.
The €1,700-to-the-winner Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 final saw Tyrap Malachi (8/1) striking late in a blanket finish involving four runners. In the early stages, Tally Ho Rose and Two Chimneys showed best from traps, but the inside line proved decisive for Tally Ho Rose, who tracked well to open a commanding lead entering the back straight. Sheezatwister gave chase, but the leader held an advantage of some four lengths approaching the three-quarter mark. The stronger finishers began to close rapidly in the closing stages and, in a dramatic finish, it was Tyrap Malachi (Malachi & Varra Biddy) who swept around the outside to prevail by a head on the line, the winning time was 28.75.
Owner and trainer Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush was represented by Tiermana Dream in the open sprint and the 5/2 chance bounced right back to form to get the better of Stonepark Browne in another photo finish on the night. Donning the white jacket, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty showed exceptional early speed to hit the front and take a two length lead around the bottom two bends. The improving Stonepark Browne was eating up the ground in a bid to get back on terms, however, he fell just short as Tiermana Dream scored by a short-head crossing the line, the time was 18.49.
The Final of The Avenue Queen A3 525 Yards Stake generously sponsored by Brian Robinson owner of Avenue Queen who recently was victorious in the Merlin Bar A2 Bitch Stake at the track. The final contest on an excellent nights racing was an A4 graded 525 affair in which both Norfolkandchance and Claudegreengrass were away well with the former displaying good pace to lead by a length at the opening bend. Turning down the back the lead was extended to two lengths as Portunma Syd keeping a wide berth went third as the leader passed halfway. Exiting the back straight the Norfolk-And-Chance Syndicate owned Norfolkandchance (Ballyhimikin Jet & Raha Gogo) was three lengths clear as Portunma Syd joined Claudegreengrass in second place but out front the bird had flown as the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained Norfolkandchance lasted it out well to hole the late thrust of Portumna Syd by a length and a half in 29.21.
Having seen their charge suffer some unlucky defeats in his seven career starts thus far owners Keith Killilea and Christopher Hennessy were in jubilant form following the A7 graded contest as their Kiltartan Chosen recorded his maiden success by two lengths from Affleck Troy in 29.69. In the early studies Affleck Troy showed pace in the centre of the track to lead Kiltartan Chosen by two lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing down the back Kilatartan Chosen (Ballymac Cashout & Millbank Chosen) immediately cut down the leaders advantage and striking the front at halfway the Albert Mullins of Gort trained runner was always in command from this point.
