BOUNCING MONARCH LANDS KIRBY CROWN IN RECORD-BREAKING STYLE

Peter Farrell

The 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 reached its conclusion at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night, where a capacity crowd witnessed a thrilling decider. In a race befitting the occasion, Bouncing Monarch delivered an incredible performance to break the track record and secure the €80,000 winner’s purse.

The final line-up was certainly one of exceptional quality, with each of the six runners capable of making a major impact on the night that mattered most, providing a fitting showcase for the continued support of the sponsors J.P. and Noreen McManus. Throughout the Classic, there had been a series of standout performances and, while the trap draw is always a key factor, it added further intrigue to an already open decider with numerous permutations to consider. Bockos Gold was the only unbeaten runner heading into the final, his explosive early pace setting him apart from his rivals. However, he had the exceptional Ballymac Setanta on his outer, while UK challenger Bouncing Monarch benefited from a plum draw in red. In the end, it was the latter who capped an outstanding few weeks with a superb display, smashing the track record en route to a second Kirby Classic success for trainer Michael J O’Donovan.

BOCKOS NARROW FAVOURITE

Prior to the off, it was difficult to split Bockos Gold and Ballymac Setanta, who were sent off at 13/8 and 7/4 respectively, reflecting their dominance throughout the competition. Bouncing Monarch was next in the market at 3/1, while Beanos Yank was a 9/1 chance. Ballycowen Frank and Jaykay Fly completed the line-up at 14/1 and 40/1 respectively, both seen as outsiders despite solid form in the earlier rounds.

AN EXPLOSIVE START FROM MONARCH

With the break always likely to prove decisive given the abundance of early pace, it was Bouncing Monarch who produced a sensational start, posting a scarcely seen 1.13 sectional and immediately asserting his authority on the contest. Within a matter of strides, he had opened daylight on his rivals, setting the tone for what was to follow. In contrast, Bockos Gold, who had been faultless at traps throughout the Classic, fluffed his lines at a crucial moment and was immediately on the back foot, coming under pressure from Ballymac Setanta on his outer. Meanwhile, Beanos Yank broke well from trap two to take up second on the run-up, with the Paul Hennessy-trained Jaykay Fly also showing early dash to hold a prominent position in third. The second Michael J O’Donovan runner, Ballycowen Frank, found himself at the rear after a tardy start from trap five, leaving him with plenty to do from an early stage. Even at this point, however, it was already Bouncing Monarch’s race to lose, as David Fradgley’s runner displayed exceptional early pace to rail tightly and seize full control.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC

Rounding the opening bend, it was a one-two for the Deerjet Sydney – Lemon Elsa litter, with Bouncing Monarch holding a commanding two-length lead over Beanos Yank in second. Jaykay Fly ran an excellent bend to sit close in third, while Ballymac Setanta tracked the pair just three parts of a length further back in fourth. Approaching the halfway mark, Bouncing Monarch continued to pour it on, doubling his advantage and stretching the field. From there, the result never truly looked in doubt, with the focus quickly shifting to the minor placings behind. Ballymac Setanta produced a notable turn of foot passing the sprint boxes, moving past both Beanos Yank and Jaykay Fly, but still found himself some six lengths adrift of the flying fawn. As the field began to tighten in behind approaching the final bend, Ballycowen Frank made significant late ground to move into contention for a podium finish, having been detached early. However, out front, there was no catching Bouncing Monarch, who maintained a relentless gallop all the way to the line to seal a second Kirby Classic for the O’Donovan camp. Crossing the line seven lengths clear, with Ballymac Setanta and Ballycowen Frank dead-heating for second after strong finishes, the winning time of 27.77 represented a phenomenal performance, six spots inside the previous track record set by Ballymac Danica.

UK WINNER

The performance of Bouncing Monarch will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of the event. Not only was this a renewal of exceptional depth and quality, but it also produced the first UK-trained winner since the Classic’s inception thirteen years ago. Credit must go to David Fradgley, who made the bold decision to send Bouncing Monarch across the Irish Sea to leading handler Michael J O’Donovan, a move that has been richly rewarded. The manner of victory, combined with the record-breaking time, firmly cements this display as one of the standout performances ever seen in the Kirby. Congratulations are extended to the winning owner and trainer, as well as breeder David O’Connor on a night that will live long in the memory.