Knockeen Dazzler won the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 at Limerick Stadium for Castleisland trainer Daniel O’Rahilly, by 4 lengths.
72 greyhounds set off in search of landing the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium some five weeks ago and last night saw Kerrys' seventeen-year-old Daniel O’Rahilly claim the prestigious Classic in mighty fashion with Knockeen Dazzler.
The win also provided West Limerick club, Mountcollins GAA, with a handsome €10,000 prize and future fundraising potential with a free fundraiser in Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
Knockeen Dazzler came into the €80,000 to the winner event boasting a modest record of two wins from six starts, however, outlined his massive abilities with a stunning 18.52 qualifying effort prior to the opening round. Indeed, that was a sign of things to come as the brilliant March whelp displayed awesome early speed throughout the event, which ultimately landed him in pole position on the night that mattered most.
Earlier in the week, a wide-open final saw three co-favourites in the shape of Merits Inclusion, Scooby Pacemaker and Romeo Kingpin, however, on the night it was the latter who was installed at 9/4, with Knockeen Dazzler coming in for some good support at 5/2 next best. It was 3/1 Merits Inclusion, 7/2 Scooby Pacemaker and 5/1 Epic Chick. The outsider of the pack was the early paced Phoenix Tyson at 16/1.
Like most finals, the lift of the lids would prove crucial and Knockeen Dazzler, as he has been on so many occasions, was paw-perfect as he bolted from trap six to dispute the early running with Scooby Pacemaker, who was also on the receiving end of his best start to date. Showing awesome early speed out wide, Knockeen Dazzler quickly began to assert however, and he posted his usual red-hot sectional of 1.26 on route to taking control. Meanwhile, Merits Inclusion, who completely fluffed his lines at traprise, was showing unbelievable early speed and he accelerated in between both Romeo Kingpin and Scooby Pacemaker to turn a close second.
Entering the bottom two bends and the lead continued to be a healthy one for Knockeen Dazzler as he never relented up front to maintain his four-length lead over the chasing hard, Merits Inclusion, in second. At this point, the first three home looked a safe bet and as Knockeen Dazzler coursed the hare out wide around the final turn, O’Rahilly’s dream began a reality. Powering up the Limerick straight, Knockeen Dazzler soared across the line to make it a brilliant four wins from five in the Kirby and he indeed saved his best performance to last. 28.10 on the clock, the strapping black came home four lengths clear of Merits Inclusion, with Scooby Pacemaker two lengths further back in third. Romeo Kingpin was next best in fourth, while the luckless Epic Chick was forced to settle for fifth. Phoenix Tyson completed the field in sixth place.
While Daniel O’Rahilly ensured that he won’t have too many better nights in greyhound racing, the Newry kennel of Brendan Matthews also deserves a huge mention. Not only was the Northern outfit responsible for Merits Inclusion, who had contributed massively to this year’s Classic, they also bred the winner, Knockeen Dazzler. A son of Love Island, who is a full sister to the dam of Merits Inclusion, this was indeed a serious achievement to breed the first two home in a Con & Annie Kirby Memorial and is something that dreams are made of for most breeders.
Also at Limerick Greyhound Stadium there was a bonus was in store with not one but two Aintree Grand National winners making an appearance before the big race!
Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake FinalMinella Times and I am Maxmus, attending the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake Final
Picture Brendan Gleeson
Trained by Willie Mullins, I Am Maximus received a warm welcome from the crowd as he paraded in front of a packed stand by handlers from Martinstown Stud along with 2021 champion Minella Times, trained by Henry de Bromhead.
I Am Maximus, owned by sponsors of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, Noreen & JP McManus, posed in front of cameras and enjoyed all the fuss that was made for him along with his stablemate Minella Times.
I AM Maximus's triumph at the Aintree Grand National has etched its name in the annals of sporting history, with its breathtaking performance. The horse's route to victory, guided by expert jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins, saw him storming past his rivals to claim the top prize. This was Willie Mullins second time claiming the Aintree showpiece, having won with Hedgehunter nineteen years previously.
Minella Times was the winner of the 2021 Aintree Grand National for trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore, who of course became the first female jockey to ride the winner of the Aintree Grand National.
There was also glory for the Kingdom in the final of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne Park. Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Danica was a 3 length victor.
Also at Shelbourne Park Dowling won race 9 with Ballymac Gizmo.
Dowling’s Ballymac Sargie was first in race 3 at Curraheen Park.
