Fitting tribute for Dundalk hero Smullen as course stages race in his honour

Pat Smullen will be remembered at Dundalk on Friday with the feature Group 3 Mercury Stakes being run in honour of the nine-time Irish Champion Flat jockey.

The racing world was devastated by the news that the 43-year-old had died from pancreatic cancer last month.

Smullen's last winner in the saddle came on Togoville at Dundalk in March 2018, while his first winner also came at the course in 1993. Smullen rode 212 winners from 1,443 rides on the all-weather at Dundalk and remains the most successful jockey at the track.

The inaugural running of the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes will carry a purse of €50,000.

Dundalk start the second of their three-day November weeks this afternoonCredit: Patrick McCann

Malih Al Basti, founder of Al Basti Equiworld, said: “Pat was a terrific horseman and a great friend. I hope this race will provide all those who knew him or admired his achievements from afar with an opportunity to reflect on a true racing legend.”

Smullen lit up Dundalk on many a drab and damp winter’s evening, and his titanic tussle with Colin Keane for the championship in 2017 featured some epic scraps at the track, with the Derby-winning rider denied a tenth championship on the final day of the Flat season by his younger rival.

Dundalk manager Jim Martin said: “We are delighted that Al Basti Equiworld Dubai has chosen to honour Pat with a race at Dundalk Stadium where he rode his first winner, Vicosa, for trainer Tom Lacy in June 1993 and his last aboard Anthony McCann’s Togoville in March, 2018.”

He added: “We have enjoyed some great moments with Pat in between and look forward to celebrating his outstanding career with this prestigious event this month.”

Read more on a huge loss to racing

Racing in mourning following the death of Pat Smullen

'Everyone in the weighing room wanted to be like Pat Smullen'

In adversity, Pat Smullen went from a racing icon to a national treasure

Pat Smullen - a racing great whose legacy will endure both on and off the track

In pictures: some memorable images from Pat Smullen's dazzling career

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