BOUNCING Monarch set a new track record of a sizzling 27.77 seconds to capture the 2026 Con and Annie Kirby Final, supported by JP and Noreen McManus, at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
Owned by David Fradgley of England (West Yorkshire), who collected a cool winners’ prize of €80,000, the winner is trained in Tippeary by father-and-son Michael and Mark O’Donovan.
The victor, bred by David O’Connor of Newtownshandrum in North Cork, led from trap rise.
This performance of ‘Monarch will be remembered as one of the greatest ever, combining blistering early speed, sustained dominance, and record-breaking brilliance.
Effin GAA were the nominator, which carried with it a prize of €10,000 and a complimentary benefit meeting at the venue in the autumn.
Tied for second were Ballymac Setanta (Liam Dowling, Granagh/Ballingarry Camogie) and Ballycowen Frank (Michael/Mark O’Donovan, Kilmallock GAA)
The history-making run was watched by a packed attendance and a wide audience through live coverage on Virgin Media Television, which was fronted by Ian Fortune and Ivan Yates.
Among the attendance were Minister Niall Collins, government TD Willie O’Dea, Limerick Senior Hurling manager John Kiely, local GAA Chairman Seamus McNamara, Greyhound Racing Ireland Chairman/CEO Pat Flanagan/Tim Lucey and Dan and Hazel Quirke, founders of the Dylan Quirke Foundation.
Team O’Donovan previously won the Classic with Stonepark Leo in 2021.
On the undercard, Brickhill Moana, trained by Vincent McKenna, won the Seán O’Connor (Claughaun) Memorial A1 Final and Fleeting Moment, from the kennels of Galway handler Gerry Holian, The Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 Final.
The whole occasion was a wonderful endorsement for the sport.