Irish Performance of the Week - 31 December 2025
A relatively quiet week in Ireland with a number of tracks not racing Christmas week but there were some excellent runs at those that did.
Magical sets Shelbourne on fire
The final of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks produced a spectacular run from Magical On Fire, dipping under 28 seconds. She is just the third runner of the year to do that and she did not take the lead until off the second bend after taking a bump on the run-up. It was a spectacular performance that saw her race six lengths clear by the time the line came.
Back in May Yorkie Ollie broke a hock. He returned to action at Shelbourne in September but didn't pick up his first win back until last week. He picked a perfect time to do it though, running riot in a 575y final worth €5000 to the winner. He had bolted up in a pair of trial stakes at Towcester ahead of the Derby before sustaining his injury and the class clearly remains.
Karlow Blaze took the award for Enniscorthy after a solid performance in the final of a top grade competition. It was right up there with a pair of runs in July and August as one of the top three in his career, picking up the 16th win in 39 career starts at the Co Wexford venue.
Another who produced a run right up there with the best in his career so far was Wilderness Tiger at Clonmel. It was his first win at A1 level having started off with a success in A7 back in September 2023. He is only a few months off claiming veteran status but is in the form of his life.
At Limerick, Foxwood Macgowan added a top grade win to successes at a lower level at Galway in November and Thurles back in May. He is bred to be decent as a litter brother to Alright Irene and Alright Grace amongst others.
