Building on the positive relationship between the horse racing community and Cancer Trials Ireland, the Curragh will host the Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland on Saturday, August 27.
This unique event will include the second outing of the Coast to Curragh cycle, which starts at Laytown Racecourse at 8 am taking in in seven racecourses and two stud farms in total, finishing at the winning line at the Curragh during the race meeting.
The charity cycle will see racing legends AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry take part.
Nine-time Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen will be forever associated with the Curragh Racecourse, not only for his outstanding riding ability and prolific career on the track but also for the incredible awareness campaign and fund-raising drive over Longines Irish Champions Weekend in 2019, which culminated in the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland.
Its successor race day in 2022 will include a special charity lunch and auction in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland featuring outstanding items such as the original silks worn by Rachael Blackmore to win the 2022 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup, a Cashel Palace racing royalty package, a racehorse ownership experience with Joseph O’Brien, Pat Smullen’s 2019 Champions Race memorabilia signed by all the jockeys who rode in the famous race and a VIP race and stay in Barberstown Castle.
On the track, racegoers are promised a high-class card and entertainment including the Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Irish Cambridgeshire, Snow Fairy Stakes, Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes and Newtown Anner Stud Stakes.
In addition to racing, there will be a meet and greet zone for racing fans to meet the jockeys, free children’s entertainment, live music and a host of food and beverage outlets ensuring a great day out for all the family.
Cancer Trials Ireland will also be on hand offering advice and information on the services they provide. There will also be copies of Pat Smullen’s autobiography on sale, signed by Pat’s wife Frances and writer Donn McClean.
“Pat Smullen is remembered every day here at the Curragh and we are honoured to have our Jockeys Room named after him,” said Curragh Racecourse CEO Brian Kavanagh.
“We are delighted to team up again with Frances, Gavin Lynch and the team from Cancer Trials Ireland with their ongoing work in this important area.”
“Our objective is that the Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland will be an important event in our calendar every year to create a fun day for everyone while raising money for a very worthy cause.”
“The Coast To Curragh charity cycle was a huge success last year so to build on it with the race day and charity lunch at the Curragh on Saturday, August 27 will be very special and a great day out,” added Frances Smullen.
“I know Pat would be thrilled that the important work of Cancer Trials Ireland continues to be promoted and highlighted. Our family are really honoured that the Curragh and Gavin Lynch, who organises the Coast To Curragh charity cycle, have come together to host this special race day in memory of Pat.”
Read more about the Hurling for Cancer Research Event taking place on August 16th
