The Curragh all set for Pat Smullen race day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland

The Curragh Racecourse are under starters orders for the Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland on Saturday August 31 and features a host of events and activities to raise funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. 

The show piece of the day is the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by the Breeze-Up Consigners Association and Pat Smullen’s son Paddy is among the 20 riders taking part. The riders, who have to raise a minimum of €3,000 for the charity, will ride over the world famous 12 furlongs Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby course and are all taking part in memory of a family member or friend who they lost to cancer or to support anyone currently living with cancer.

The 100km Curragh to Curragh charity cycle in memory of Olive Lynch and sponsored by Paddy Power, is also a key part of the fundraising. Prior to racing, 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy will lead the unique cycle, which takes in Moyglare Stud, Naas and Punchestown racecourses and Gilltown Stud before cyclists return to the Curragh during racing.

Racegoers are guaranteed a fun day for all the family including the Pat Smullen Race Day Barbeque hosted in the Oaks Restaurant. Tickets are €50 and include admission and a delicious barbeque, hosted in the Oaks Restaurant with stunning views of the Curragh parade ring.

Anyone who buys a raffle ticket on the day will have an opportunity to win a holiday for two for seven nights to the four-star Sunset Beach Club on the Costa del Sol, part of the FBD Hotels and Resorts group.

Brian Kavanagh, Curragh Racecourse CEO, said: “We are delighted to work closely with Cancer Trials Ireland and overwhelmed with the response to the Pat Smullen race day which has raised substantial funds since it was launched in 2019. Everyone’s generosity will make a significant impact to pancreatic cancer patients. I would encourage everyone to donate to the various initiatives taking place across the day including the charity cycle and the riders taking part in the Pat Smullen charity race.”

In addition to supporting the Curragh to Curragh cycle, Paddy Power is also showing their support by sponsoring the feature race, the Irish Cambridgeshire.

Brendan Holland of Grove Stud, representing the Breeze-Up Consigners Association, commented: “Unfortunately, in the last few years some of our members’ relatives and friends have suffered from and passed away from cancer, so when the opportunity arose to be involved in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland charity race, we thought it was a great opportunity to proactively support the important work of Cancer Trials Ireland and all the brave riders taking part in the race. It’s going to be a great day and a special race for a cause that is close to so many of us.”

Angela Clayton-Lea, COO, Cancer Trials Ireland, said: “We are profoundly grateful to the horse racing community in Ireland for their unwavering support in raising critical awareness of pancreatic cancer. Over the past five years, through events such as the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland race day, they have raised over €3 million to fund vital pancreatic cancer research. This research, made possible by the community’s generosity, is an enduring part of Pat’s legacy and is making a tangible difference in the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer.”

Paddy Power spokesperson Rachael Kane said, “The Irish Cambridgeshire has been a highlight of the racing calendar for many moons, but it’s become a truly unmissable occasion since the inception of The Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland day. We take huge pride in supporting this event since its establishment in memory of one of Irish horse racing’s true legends.”

Admission tickets are €15 online or €20 on race day with a contribution going towards Cancer Trials Ireland.  Under 18s are free

Pat Smullen Race Day Barbeque package:  €50 – General admission, racecard, barbeque meal in Oaks Restaurant

To book tickets, please go to www.curragh.ie/tickets

Donations to Cancer Trials Ireland can also be made via our GoFundMe page by going to www.gofundme.com and putting Pat Smullen Race Day in the search. 

Richard Brede - Kilcullen, Co Kildare

Richard only started riding lessons in 2021. He graduated from the trainee jockey course at RACE in June 2023. He was on his work placement with Willie McCreery and is now based with Johnny Murtagh and hopes to take out his license in the near future. Richard is really excited to combine his long-time dream to ride on the track while supporting Cancer Trials Ireland and all the important work they do in memory of Pat Smullen.

Aidan Coonan - Maynooth, Co Kildare

Aidan is riding in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity race in memory of family members and friends he has lost to cancer. Aidan has ridden horses since he was a child and for the last five years, he has been riding racehorses during his holidays and weekends and is now based with Cathy O’Leary. He has always wanted to ride in a race, so he thought this was the perfect opportunity as it’s for such a good cause.

Anna Cropper - Kildare Town, Co Kildare

Anna is originally from Scotland and has been involved in the racing industry since 1997 working as a groom and exercise rider and using her degree to work in animal DNA profiling and clinical diagnostics. Anna is delighted to have the support of John ‘Shark’ Hanlon who she is currently riding out for and has ridden in four charity races at Naas, the Curragh, Leopardstown and Punchestown. Anna is riding in the race in memory of her Grandfather who died when she was a child and her friend Clare, who sadly passed away last year. By supporting Cancer Trials Ireland, Anna hopes their research can give hope and a brighter future to anyone going through cancer treatment.

Charles O'Neill - Clane, Co Kildare

13 years ago, Charles lost his younger brother David and his dad Charlie to cancer. Despite riding in two Point-to-Points many years ago, Charles hadn’t sat on racehorse in 35 years when he decided to take part the charity race. Charles has been riding out with trainers Martin Brassil, Shane Nolan, Ross O’Sullivan, Johnny Murtagh and Jessica Harrington since the start of the year in preparation for the race and has lost nearly 20kg in the process. He is excited for the challenge and raising awareness and funds for Cancer Trials Ireland.

Eva O'Neill - Naas, Co Kildare

Eva is riding in the charity race in memory of her aunt who she recently lost to cancer and for all those who might benefit from cancer trails in the future. Eva is going into 6th year this September and has been riding ponies and horses all her life through the Kildare Hunt Pony club and eventing with ponies and juniors. She started riding out for Patrick Prendergast on the Curragh during her transition year and has enjoyed learning and working with racehorses ever since then. Eva is very excited to ride in her first race for such a worthy cause.

Andrew Kinirons - Newbridge, Co Kildare

Andrew had an amateur jockeys licence and rode in Point-to-Points and on the track in Ireland and the UK, eventually hanging up his boots in 2013. He has held a trainers licence for almost four years. Andrew never rode at the Curragh as a jockey, so he is looking forward to ticking the Curragh off his list in memory of his grandparents and friends he has lost to cancer while raising money for a great cause.

Donate to any of the charity riders via their GoFundMe pages. Go to http://www.gofundme.com and type in riders name in search bar.

Curragh to Curragh cycle

To register for the Curragh to Curragh cycle, please visit www.coasttocurragh.ie

Race schedule

1:45pm             Kara Quinn Memorial IEBF Maiden

2:20pm             Newtownanner Stakes Group 3

2:50pm             Heider Family Stable Round Tower Stakes Group 3

3:25pm             Snow Fairy Stakes Group 3

4pm                   Paddy Power supporting Cancer Trials Ireland Irish Cambridgeshire

4:35pm             FBD Hotels & Resorts Faithlegg Hotel Nursery

5:10pm             Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Apprentice Handicap

5:45pm             Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race in association with the Breeze-

            Up Consigners Association