Irish Performance of the Week - 3 March 2026

Lexus sets the standard once more in the Juvenile Classic

In the heats of the T Nolan C.V.R.T. Centre Juvenile Classic Blackstone Lexus set a quickest of the year for Tralee's 525y distance. In the semis last week, he went 20 spots quicker to once more lead the way in the competition. He is already just a 25/1 chance for the Boylesports Irish Derby with the sponsors, looking a potential superstar in the making. 

The final of the Limerick Oaks went to Magical Hope who produced the second quickest time of the year so far. She is a real force to be reckoned with at this track, winning on five of her nine visits so far. The Christmas Oaks finalist was successful in three of the four rounds of this competition. A mention also for Jaykay Fly who set the fastest of 2026 on the same card, six spots quicker. 

At Shelbourne there was an impressive win from Lennies Tank. He has always had something a bit special about him, unfortunate to have to be withdrawn from the Irish Sprint Cup at the semi-final stage last year. He was a slick winner at Cork on his final start of 2025 in November and has returned in great shape. 

It was a great week for owner Lee Craze as Lennies Desire picked up a win at Waterford to add to Lennies Tank's win. He also had Lennies Madge who was fourth behind Magical Hope in the Limerick Oaks final. Only five dogs have gone quicker than Lennies Desire's winning time over Waterford's 731y trip since the start of 2022. One of those was Jaytee Craze, part owned by Lee Craze!

Ropewalk Black was the youngest of the winners this week, picking up a sprint at Lifford. The daughter of Droopys Flytline was making her racing debut, clocking the fourth quickest 325y time of the year so far. There should be plenty more to come from her as she matures.

At Shelborune