Irish Performance of the Week - 13 January 2026

Limited action in Ireland to kick off 2026 but some smart winners nonetheless

Clonmel saw the start of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced last week and if the first round is anything to go by, this is a competition that we will be coming back to plenty through the year. Top performer was marginally Newinn Spot for Graham Holland. A Tommy Shelby half-brother to Eclipse winner Newinn Syd, all three of the litter he is part of have got their head in front already. 

Highview Dynasty produced the best performance on the Shelbourne card, relishing the change of the calendar over to 2026. She did not manage to get her head in front in eight starts last year but made it a perfect 2/2 this year with a solid A2 winning run. 

There was a hat-trick of successes brought up by Drill Baby Drill at Thurles. He has made just six starts in his career, gradually improving with each of his winning runs. Things are going to become a little bit harder for him from this point onwards but there should still be more to come from him.

At Tralee, there was a decent performance from Shronedraugh Ten. He is a little bit more exposed than a couple of the other top performers this week. but he is an improving type who has now managed to figure things out. He won just once in his first 13 starts, scoring here for the second time in his last four runs. 

There was a big step in the right direction from Millmount Jacko at Limerick. He had shown a hint of ability in his first three starts but nothing like the 29.20 that he produced when winning last week. He is from a very limited number of Razldazl Peaky's, one of just four litters to hit the track from the sire so far.