Riding greats take to the saddle for Pat Smullen in Cancer Trials charity race

Nine of the greatest riders will pull on a pair of silks one more time at the Curragh on Sunday as they compete in the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland (4.50).

And what a cast has been assembled. Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Paul Carberry, Charlie Swan, Ted Durcan, Kieren Fallon, Richard Hughes, Johnny Murtagh and Joseph O’Brien have answered the call to ride in the mile event.

The lengths to which other members of the industry have gone to raise money has been truly astounding.

Joseph O'Brien, Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Paul Carberry and Charlie Swan on the gallopsCredit: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

A number of leading riders have followed Chris Hayes in donating their riding fees from Irish Champions Weekend to the cause, while Noel Meade’s head lass Emma Connolly has organised for the majority of stable staff to donate any best-turned-out awards.

During the week, social media was awash with support for the event when Jack Cantillon successfully claimed a horse, Rippling Waters, out of Wednesday’s claimer at Laytown.

The horse, who will be trained for free by Tracey Collins, will be running for the charity, with every penny won being donated to Cancer Trials Ireland.

That initiative has already raised just shy of €20,000 and, with a number of high-profile lots up for auction, it’s conceivable that Smullen will raise close to €1 million this weekend.

Smullen had planned on taking part in the race after announcing his retirement from the saddle in May following recovery from an initial battle with pancreatic cancer.

However, the nine-time Irish champion jockey and Investec Derby winner was forced to withdraw on medical grounds due to a health setback.

He said: "I’m so grateful to these lads for coming out of retirement to ride in the race. It looks like the race of a lifetime and I’m just disappointed that I can’t ride in it! I know it has meant a few gruelling weeks for some of them as they get fit for it and I really appreciate it.

"This race will hopefully raise awareness of pancreatic cancer but it is also going to contribute to our goal this weekend of raising as much money as possible for Cancer Trials Ireland, who has two vital cancer trials ready to go."

Smullen added: "The generosity people have shown has been heartwarming. Within 24 hours we had found sponsors for all of the jockeys and that’s a credit to the generosity of Adare Manor, Ballymore Properties, Bar One Racing, Betfair, BetVictor, the INBA, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and SkyBet, as well as The Underwriting Exchange, The Patron Group and Racing TV. Thanks to one and all."

Few could sum up what the race means better than Aidan O’Brien, who spoke about the occasion after sending out the first winner of the weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien: praised the weekendCredit: Edward Whitaker

O’Brien said: “It’s incredible really. It just goes to show the esteem that Pat is held in by everybody. It’s the most incredible thing for an unbelievably worthy cause.

"Words can’t say how important it is and we’re all behind Pat and Pat is behind the charity. It’s really exciting that everyone has taken it to heart and on board in such a big way. Hopefully it’s going to be a great race for everybody.”

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