Irish Performance of the Week - 21 April 2026
The final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial was the highlight of the week in Ireland where Bouncing Monarch set a new track record, blitzing his rivals.
Monarch rules the Kirby field
There is little doubt that Bouncing Monarch produced the performance of the week overall in Ireland, breaking the Limerick track record in the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial. A multiple Cat One finalist in England, and very unlucky not to have won one, he was exceptional throughout the competition and foot perfect in the final.
On any other week, the 27.87 that Ballymac Kamala produced at Shelbourne would have been the top run in the country as the first time under 28 seconds this year. There were a succession of excellent times clocked at Shelbourne this week. Droopys Scampi equaled the quickest 350y time of the year, while Grouchos Gregor took the fastest 600y and Flight Club the 750y best.
Freeway Star went unbeaten through the three rounds of an ON2 competition at Waterford, improving on her time with each contest. She is closely related to the same kennel's star stayer Tuono Charlie, looking every inch of a future star herself with her string of victories.
There was a very smart run at Cork from Oriental King. He had kicked off his career with a notable winning effort at Clonmel when clocking 28.65. He is a litter-brother to Paul Young's Jimmyjimmyjimmy who is the ante-post favourite for the final of the Hove Puppy Cup on Saturday. They look a litter well worth keeping on side.
It was an excellent week for the sprinters with Inisherin setting a new fastest of the year at Thurles, Bomber Nina doing the same at Tralee and Canvas Shesaid getting in on the act at Youghal.
