PRODUCE STAKES BRILLIANCE FROM BERLIN

Peter Farrell

Bathed in glorious sunshine at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday evening, the final of the 2026 National Produce Stakes produced a fitting showcase for one of the sport’s premier Classics, with Berlin Trilogy delivering a superb front-running display to claim the title in emphatic fashion.

One of the most prestigious contests on the Irish greyhound racing calendar, the National Produce Stakes once again lived up to its billing and the final field was packed with quality. In the betting, Swords Diamond was sent off the 11/8 favourite despite drifting in the market, while Scooby Marquess was next in at 9/4. Both had impressed throughout the earlier rounds and were understandably prominent in the market. Droopys Winsome represented strong claims for Murt Leahy at 11/2, while Berlin Trilogy and Firstpastthepost were each available at 13/2. Oriental Prince, meanwhile, was the outsider of the six-runner field at 25/1. In truth, cases could be made for all six finalists heading into the €20,000-to-the-winner decider, but on the night Berlin Trilogy made the task look remarkably straightforward. The victory also secured back-to-back puppy Classics for Michael and Mark O’Donovan, who earlier this year captured the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial with the brilliant Bouncing Monarch.

A BOLT FROM BERLIN

With the break always likely to prove decisive, the ideally housed Berlin Trilogy chose the perfect night to produce a flying start. Breaking sharply from trap one, the brindled runner quickly asserted on the inside and just shaded Swords Diamond in the opening strides. Swords Diamond’s challenge, however, was compromised almost immediately after suffering a bump from Droopys Winsome in four, a coming together that handed Berlin Trilogy the freedom to unleash his electric early pace along the rail. Clocking a smart 2.80 sectional, Berlin Trilogy swept around the opening bend with a clear advantage over Droopys Winsome, while significant crowding in behind effectively ended Swords Diamond’s hopes of Classic glory. There was further trouble in running for Scooby Marquess, as Jennifer O’Donnell’s runner saw his momentum checked after becoming entangled with Firstpastthepost approaching the bend. Oriental Prince was also hampered in the ensuing congestion, leaving Berlin Trilogy firmly in command out front.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC

Despite turning the opening bend with a lead of one length, Berlin Trilogy soon tightened his grip on proceedings when Droopys Winsome had his back legs clipped by Scooby Marquess entering the back straight. In turn, this allowed Berlin Trilogy to quickly treble his advantage and seize full control of the Classic. Droopys Winsome regrouped to give chase in second, while Oriental Prince capitalised on further crowding at the second bend, where Firstpastthepost was forced to check his stride. By halfway, however, the Michael J. O’Donovan-trained runner was in full flight, powering towards the third bend with a commanding four-length advantage.

BACK-TO-BACK PUPPY CLASSICS

With the prize now firmly within reach for Michael and Mark O’Donovan, Berlin Trilogy remained in complete command around the closing bends, though the leader still had to withstand the late staying efforts of both Droopys Winsome and Oriental Prince in the run for home. The chasing pair gradually reduced the deficit in the closing stages, but the winning line arrived in time for Berlin Trilogy, who always looked to have something left in reserve climbing the Clonmel hill. A son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy, the hugely talented youngster crossed the line a length and a half clear of Droopys Winsome, with Oriental Prince a further two and a half lengths adrift in third. A superb winning time of 28.20 rounded off another memorable night for connections, who earlier this year also landed the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial with Bouncing Monarch. On the evidence of recent months, the O’Donovan kennel appears to be operating at the peak of its powers, an ominous prospect for their rivals with the Champion Stakes and the Irish Greyhound Derby looming on the horizon.