Trainer Donnacha O’Brien notched his first National Hunt win when Kilmeaden triumphed in the maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Monday. The 11-1 outsider, ridden by Enniscorthy jockey JJ Slevin, held off the heavily favoured Madness D’Elle to win by over two lengths. Kilmeaden, who had a mishap at Limerick over Christmas, was a strong performer on the Flat, with a peak rating of 91.
Conor Stone Walsh, the talented young jockey from Cleristown, Co. Wexford, partnered with Ian Donoghue’s Kanog Bay to win a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse. The pair triumphed by over two lengths, continuing a successful partnership.
At Dundalk, Moyassr won the one-mile apprentice handicap at odds of 5-2. Adam Grant, from Rosslare, kept the pace throughout the race to secure the victory, marking his fourth win and a great start to 2026. Mark Fahey’s Daonethatgotaway finished a close second.
Paul Nolan and Sean Flanagan, representing Wexford, scored a win at Fairyhouse with I Am Lorenzo in a beginners’ chase. The 11-1 outsider fought back strongly in the final 50 yards to defeat the favourite Coral River by half a length.
Brian Hayes completed a treble at Navan on Saturday, with a notable win aboard Zanoosh for Colm Murphy of Gorey, Co. Wexford in a 2m4f handicap hurdle. The 15-2 shot surged forward in the final stages to win by half a length.
Upcoming Fixtures
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Tues, Jan 20: Down Royal (First race 12:50 pm)
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Thurs, Jan 22: Gowran Park (First race 12:40 pm)
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Fri, Jan 23: Dundalk (First race 4:30 pm)
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Sat, Jan 24: Fairyhouse (First race 12:28 pm)
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Sun, Jan 25: Naas (First race 1:25 pm)