The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Stakes is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Limerick Greyhound Stadium at Greenpark, Dock Road, Limerick, Ireland.
The competition quickly established itself as one of the leading feature events in the Irish racing calendar due to the significant prize money on offer.
It boasted a record €80,000 to the winner in 2014 making the competition one of the biggest prizes in greyhound racing and the richest juvenile race in the world. It was sponsored by J. P. McManus & Noreen McManus, and named in honour of Noreen McManus's parents, who had close ties with the old Limerick Markets Field Greyhound Stadium.
A series of trial stakes are run at different locations in preparation for the competition.
Venues and distances 2013-present (Limerick 525y)
Past winners YearWinnerBreedingTime (sec)TrainerSPNotes/ref2013 Roxholme Bully Shaneboy Lee – Roxholme Sue 28.65Owen McKenna 11/8f2014Boylesports Hero Top Savings – Cabra Midget 28.31Brendan Matthews 5/4f2015 Cable Bay Foleys Folly – Toms Delight 28.11Brendan Matthews 6/12016 Droopys Roddick Droopys Jet - Droopys Start 28.09 Pat Buckley7/22017 Bentekes Bocko Tullymurry Act - Tullig Paula 28.39 Pat Buckley2/1f2018 Droopys Davy Droopys Nidge - Droopys Loner 28.10 Pat Buckley 4/5f2019 Toolmaker Josie Pat C Sabbath – Lemon Bolt 28.37Robert Gleeson 6/12020 No race due to (COVID-19 pandemic)2021Stonepark Leo Ballymac Best – Adamant Gem 28.38Mark O'Donovan No SPNo SP due to COVID-192022Swords Rex Droopys Sydney – Starry Display 28.27Graham Holland 9/4f2023Clonbrien Treaty Pestana – Clonbrien Millie 28.05Graham Holland 5/22024Knockeen DazzlerLaughil Blake – Love Island 28.10Daniel O'Rahilly 5/22025Faypoint Ranger Coolavanny Hoffa – Carefree Tipp 28.05Graham Holland 4/6f
References