STAR-STUDDED CON & ANNIE KIRBY FINAL PROMISES FIREWORKS AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

After four weeks of breath-taking action, the stage is set at Limerick for the final of the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525. Kindly sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus, we have been treated to an unforgettable Classic to this point, and the final looks primed to deliver a thrilling conclusion.

A huge crowd is expected to descend on Limerick later tonight in what will no doubt be a fascinating encounter. The card is littered with top-class racing, but the highlight is the €80,000-to-the-winner Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525. Let’s take a look at this year’s finalists.

A LOOK AT THE FINALISTS

T1 – BOUNCING MONARCH (Owner: Dave Fradgley – Trainer: Michael J O’Donovan)
A revelation since arriving back on Irish soil in pursuit of one of the most sought-after titles. This strapping fawn set a mighty high bar from round one, posting 27.97 to make all rivals sit up and take notice. He followed that with another devastating 27.98, before comfortably making it three wins on the spin in the quarter-finals. The son of Dorotas Wildcat – Lemon Elsa had no answer to Bockos Gold in the semis, suffering his first career defeat, but crucially returns to the inside in his beloved red jacket tonight. A huge player with massive claims of taking the €80,000 across the pond.

T2 – BEANOS YANK (Owner: Pups-And-Pints-Syndicate – Trainer: Graham Holland)
A litter brother to Bouncing Monarch and a serious greyhound in his own right. Blessed with incredible pace to the three-quarter mark, the white and brindle won his opening round assignment in a rapid 28.09, before building on that with a 28.21 effort in round two. He has had to settle for minor placings in the last two rounds but ran a big race in the semis to overcome what looked a tricky draw in six. Back on the inside tonight, he is sure to play a part early and could prove a thorn in the side of many of the hotpots on the run-up. Don’t dismiss.

T3 – BOCKOS GOLD (Owner: The-Jolly-Good-Company-Syndicate – Trainer: Graham Holland)
A real powerhouse and currently disputing favouritism. The only unbeaten runner left in the stake, he has been flawless to date, posting 28.07 and 28.00 before back-to-back sub-28-second victories in the last two rounds. An 86-pound machine, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa has been hugely consistent and comes into the final off the back of a rapid 1.21 sectional, figures that should see him lead tonight if reproduced. Clearing the inside pair is vital, but on what he has shown thus far, he is difficult to oppose. A worthy favourite.

T4 – BALLYMAC SETANTA (Owner/Trainer: Liam Dowling)
A modern-day superstar and the recently crowned ‘Future Star’. Without doubt one of the best trackers in training, as emphasised by a series of phenomenal displays over the past ten months. A winner in round one in 28.00, he tasted his only defeat in the Kirby in round two when forced to play second fiddle to the brilliant Bockos Gold. The son of Ballymac Kingdom bounced back with two sub-28-second performances, business as usual for the strapping blue. He would have preferred to be on the inside of Bockos Gold in tonight’s decider, but it would be foolish to dismiss his chances based on the draw alone. A lightning break is crucial.

T5 – BALLYCOWEN FRANK (Owners: Debbie Doyle/Dean Harpur – Trainer: Michael J O’Donovan)
A second representative for Michael J O’Donovan but certainly capable of making a major play. The son of Ballymac Cashout has a serious engine, highlighted by a terrific 28.04 clock in round one. His potential has been evident from an early stage, winning the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup in the final quarter of 2025. He hasn’t been too lucky with the draw, and that continues tonight with a tricky berth in trap five. However, he will be travelling best of all from the three-quarter mark, and with that in mind, he rates as a threat to all. Securing a good early position is key.

T6 – JAYKAY FLY (Owner: Carol O’Riordan – Trainer: Paul Hennessy)
The sole representative for Paul Hennessy, who is bidding to land the Kirby for the first time. Always a talent, he has taken off in recent weeks after clocking 28.27 at the end of February. He landed his round one assignment in good style and, although he hasn’t raised a flag since, the son of Serene Ace has raced with real distinction, posting 28.22 on multiple occasions in the past three weeks. He has explosive early gears but has been handed a tricky draw in six and will need luck in running if he is to enter calculations.

VERDICT…

Bockos Gold arrives unbeaten and is aiming to give Graham Holland a fourth Kirby success in five years. The powerful 86-pounder has set the standard throughout, with a standout 1.21 sectional suggesting he is the most likely leader. However, the draw poses challenges, with pace on all sides, notably Bouncing Monarch (1), Beanos Yank (2), and Ballymac Setanta (4), increasing the likelihood of crowding at the bend. Preference is for Bouncing Monarch, who is ideally housed on the inside. A strong rails runner, he should drive the inside line and apply early pressure. If congestion develops, he looks best placed to capitalise. Ballymac Setanta, though hugely talented, faces a tougher task from trap four and may struggle to assert early dominance. Beanos Yank is well drawn in two and should be competitive early, while Ballycowen Frank will be finishing strongly but may have too much to do from trap five. Jaykay Fly, despite strong form, faces a stiff test from trap six in this company. With plenty of early pace on show, a congested opening looks likely, making early positioning crucial. In a highly competitive final, Bouncing Monarch gets the narrow vote.

Selection: BOUNCING MONARCH