Gone to the dogs: Top class Offaly winners

The first open unraced stake of the year got underway in Clonmel on Friday with some quality pups strutting their stuff with all hoping to have a say in all the major events in 2026. Offaly winners were scarce on the ground but the ones who made the winners podium were certainly top class.

Early Week Racing

Nothing of note for the first four days of the week and expect this trend to continue for a month or so as racing is very much curtailed for January and February.

Friday Racing

Five heats in the first round of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced Stake in Clonmel won last year by The Other Wild for Jennifer O’Donnell. Stake sponsor Graham Holland set the standard as Newinn Spot stopped the clock in 28.47 by six lengths at 5/4 fav. Next fastest heat winner was Callaway Danny for Owen McKenna in 28.52 by a neck at 5/4.

Another stake underway in Clonmel was the six heats in the first round of the John White Memorial A3 Guys And Dolls stake won in 2025 by Imokilly Roxanne for Adan Dunford. Jacktavern Beaut set the bar highest here as she crossed the line in 28.66 by three lengths at 5/4 fav.

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Saturday Racing

Shelbourne, quarter-finals of the A2 Dublin Cup. Of the four heats Offaly dog Highview Dynasty was fastest for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman when winning by four lengths at 5/1 in 28.44. Another Offaly winner to certainly catch the eye was in the last race on the card an AAO open 575 as Durrow Star showed great speed and stamina to come from off the pace to win comfortably by two lengths in 31.39 by 5/2 for Diarmuid O’Neill with Mullingar trainer Francis Murray at the helm.

The only final on Saturday was in Tralee as Astra Lexi (Droopys Sydney-Astra Harena) won the Garrison Kennels A2 570 with a cheque for €1.65k going to Paudie Keane in 31.51 by two lengths at 3/1.


Sunday Racing

One Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. In an A3 contest Horseleap Paddy won his ninth race for Sean McGuinness in 29.61 (50 slow) by three lengths at 6/1.

Upcoming Events

Friday, quarter-finals of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced and the John White Memorial A3 Stake both in Clonmel.

Saturday, semi-finals of the A2 Dublin Cup in Shelbourne Park.


Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Easy decision this week as Durrow Star won an Open 575 in Shelbourne on Saturday which is one of the hardest assignments in dog racing. The Diarmuid O’Neill owned brindle bitch showed massive pace to win her fifth race in a smart 31.39 by two lengths. Fine performance.


One For The Notebook

Highview Dynasty looks and interesting sort after taking eight races to win its first race she has now won two on the trot in Shelbourne on Saturdays and was the fastest heat winner in the quarter-finals of the very competitive A2 Dublin Cup. Seems to be on an upward trajectory now for Gerry Merriman. Who knows how high she can go. Doing everything right at the moment. Smart run.


Offaly Winners

There were three Offaly dogs on the winners rostrum last week. Congratulations to all involved.