Kindly sponsored by the ever-generous McManus Family, the Kirby Memorial offered a stunning €80,000 prize. In the market, all eyes were on Faypoint Ranger, a strong odds-on favourite for the team even among some of the best youngsters currently in training.

With such a strong final field, Faypoint Ranger was expected to take control early—and he delivered. Briefly led by a rapid start from Pain Barrier, the favourite responded instantly, taking charge and recording a blistering 1.22 sectional—four spots faster than his previous best in the semi-finals. Sole Mio moved into second, with Pain Barrier shuffled to third. Meanwhile, Droopys Deploy and Skywalker Schar missed the break entirely, and Bubbly Charger, despite a decent start from trap one, was left behind in the scramble.

As they rounded the first bend, Faypoint Ranger’s position strengthened dramatically when Sole Mio drifted wide, hampering Pain Barrier and allowing Bubbly Charger to slip into third. Out in front Ranger was stretching his lead to six lengths by halfway. The race was all but over as he cruised down the back, on course for a sixth straight win.

Despite Sole Mio running a fine race in second, the leader was never in danger. Ranger hugged the rails through the bottom bends and maintained a relentless gallop out in front, crossing the line in a very quick 28.05.

Over five weeks, Faypoint Ranger had racked up a sixteen-length aggregate winning margin—and he added another four and a half in the final. He crossed the line clear of Sole Mio, with Bubbly Charger in third and Skywalker Schar a distant fourth. Pain Barrier had no luck in running, while Droopys Deploy never recovered.

This emphatic win gave the Team out third Kirby title in four years, drawing him level with Pat Buckley in the record books. A huge congratulations to owner Patricia Flanagan and breeder Bernadette Connolly! Special thanks once again to JP and Noreen McManus for their ongoing support of this world-class event.