STAGE SET FOR THRILLING PRODUCE STAKES CONCLUSION AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
It’s a big night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as the final of the National Produce Stakes takes centre stage.
The Classic has produced some sensational action over the past three weeks and we now arrive at a wide-open decider, with each of the six finalists holding legitimate claims.
A LOOK AT THE FINALISTS
T1 – BERLIN TRILOGY
(Owner: Mark & Michael O’Donovan – Trainer: Michael J O’Donovan)
A classy performer who burst onto the scene in blistering fashion, posting 28.12 on debut around Curraheen Park. At that stage, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy was among the most talked-about youngsters in training and, while his career has been somewhat stop-start since, there are clear signs that he is returning to his best. Following several eye-catching efforts in defeat during the Kirby, Trilogy has taken well to Clonmel and displayed another string to his bow in the quarter-finals when coming from off the pace to score in 28.58. The brindle missed the kick last time out but still ran a highly credible race in qualifying. Make no mistake, if he traps on terms, he possesses a potentially ideal draw in red with his immediate outside rival expected to edge right. Strong claims.
T2 – FIRSTPASTTHEPOST
(Owner: Josie Burns – Trainer: Paul Matthews)
The Northern raider has thrived in recent weeks at the Tipperary venue. The son of Good Cody arrives chasing a hat-trick after flawless victories over the past fortnight, posting 28.50 and 28.54 respectively from the front. Holding a 2.83 sectional to his name, he will undoubtedly enter calculations if reproducing that level of early pace, while he also carries the advantage of experience over many of his rivals. A winner of seven from fifteen starts, the aptly-named black is certain to attract strong support.
T3 – SWORDS DIAMOND
(Owner: Barbara Lowndes – Trainer: Graham Holland)
The favourite and deservedly so. Despite coming into the final as the least experienced runner in the line-up with only five starts under his belt, the son of Swords Rex appears to possess the complete package, electric early speed allied with proven stamina. The powerful black missed the kick in the semi-finals but has already posted a dazzling 2.80 sectional, demonstrated in his spectacular 28.14 opening-round success. That performance suggested that, if everything falls into place, he could simply prove too hot to handle. He must avoid Firstpastthepost in the early exchanges but, granted a clear passage, is capable of producing something very special. The one to beat.
T4 – DROOPYS WINSOME
(Owner: John Coleman – Trainer: Murt Leahy)
Another standout performer in this year’s Classic, the son of Pestana produced a brilliant 28.42 in the opening round, inflicting a six-length defeat on T2 in the process. Although without a victory over the past two weeks, Leahy’s charge has continued to run with distinction and finished strongly in the semi-finals to be beaten only a length and three-quarters. A difficult draw does little to aid his cause, however, positioned between two major contenders, and he may require fortune in the early stages. That said, if turning close enough, he will certainly have a say.
T5 – SCOOBY MARQUESS
(Owner: Steve Noble – Trainer: Jennifer O’Donnell)
A genuine star with sensational early pace in his armoury. Scooby Marquess entered the competition with a lofty reputation after posting some exceptional times, notably a 28.12 success around HQ at the end of March. Since arriving at the Suirside venue, however, he has elevated his form even further. Indeed, his stunning 15.81 third-bend sectional en route to a 28.20 semi-final success was mouth-watering to say the least, underlining why the son of Grangeview Ten must be considered a major player. However, trap five is far from ideal and he will need a lightning start to clear several rapid rivals on his inner.
T6 – ORIENTAL PRINCE
(Owner: Organised-Chaos-Syndicate – Trainer: Denise Ryan)
The outsider of the sextet but thoroughly deserving of his place in the final. The son of Coolavanny Hoffa advertised his class in Kilkenny when chasing home Sober Barry in the final of the McCalmont Cup, going down by only a length. While still without a victory in this competition, he has produced several excellent efforts in defeat, posting sub-28.70 performances in every round to date. Ideally housed on the outside of five inside seeds, Oriental Prince is expected to come alive from halfway and, like Droopys Winsome, will look to secure a favourable early position before staying on strongly. Place claims.
VERDICT
It has very much been a case of quality over quantity in the 2026 renewal of the National Produce Stakes and the final promises to provide a fitting conclusion to a tremendous competition. The draw has only added further intrigue, but the vote narrowly goes to Swords Diamond to bounce back from his semi-final defeat. On pure ability, Graham Holland’s youngster sets the standard and there is every chance he will improve again from last weekend’s outing. If trapping on terms, the son of Swords Rex could take some stopping. Berlin Trilogy is selected to fill the runner-up spot from his favourable inside berth, while Oriental Prince may emerge late to claim third.
Scooby Marquess is unquestionably capable of landing the spoils but faces a particularly difficult assignment from trap five, while similar concerns apply to Firstpastthepost, who may need to dominate early to avoid trouble. Meanwhile, Droopys Winsome could find himself under pressure in the opening exchanges and may require racing room to become involved.
SUPPORTING CARD
Aside from the main attraction, several quality supporting finals feature on the card, beginning with the €1,000-to-the-winner ‘Springmount Kennels A3/A4 525’.
Kindly sponsored by David Hickey, Lincoln Diomed is likely to head the market for Patrick McGhee and Sean O’Donnell. The well-bred son of Pestana and Nemesis posted 28.86 in the semi-finals when coming from off the pace and, while unlikely to feature prominently in the early yards, that breakthrough success could prove the catalyst for further improvement. Drawn in two, his trapping remains a concern, but with a clear run he can emerge on top. Cuteen View is expected to lead early, while Tarsna Nico is capable of much better than last week’s display.
The ‘Seven Beach @ Stud A2 550’, sponsored by the owners of Seven Beach, offers €1,200 to the winner and all eyes will be on the recent track-record breaker Bobmar.
Trained by David Flanagan for the Barrack-Street-Syndicate, Bobmar created a huge impression in the semi-finals when demolishing his rivals in a stunning 29.45. On that evidence, the son of Dromana Bucko sets a formidable standard, although greyhound racing rarely follows a straightforward script. Even so, Bobmar appears to have plenty more in reserve and, despite a potentially awkward draw in four, looks likely to start at prohibitive odds. Should an upset materialise, Missouri Ace may be best placed to capitalise.
The €1,800-to-the-winner ‘Tipperary GOBA A2/A3 525’ is another highly competitive affair and Madams Dream gets the nod for Thomas Condon from trap two.
Trained by Adam Dunford, Madams Dream is only a September pup but caught the eye in the semi-finals when storming home from the rear to score in 28.76. The daughter of Jacktavern Gem appears to possess considerable potential and has the draw to secure the rails at traprise. Mustang Havoc, meanwhile, has done little wrong throughout the competition and is a likely pace-setter from trap five.
The final supporting decider on the card is the ‘Droopys Kennels A1 550’, sponsored by the Dunphy brothers in Portlaw.
With €1,200 on offer to the winner, the vote goes to Moanteen Hatton to reverse recent form with Slanestownbailey. Rachel Wheeler’s youngster is still only 19 months old and, despite being reeled in late after posting 29.93 last weekend, showed enough to suggest he remains firmly on an upward curve. Drawn in five and now armed with valuable experience, he can bounce back for connections.