'It's getting bigger and bigger every year' - Pat Smullen raceday smashes through the €1 million mark at the Curragh

It is now the €1 million raceday. If those who knew and adored Pat Smullen didn't know what the racing world thought of him already, they certainly do now as his legacy lives on in the most magical way. Gone, but never forgotten. 

This particular Saturday has evolved from simply a charity cycle ride five years ago to what is now one of the most memorable occasions in the whole calendar and the fact that more than a million euros have been raised for Cancer Trials Ireland is testament to the nine-time champion jockey, who was taken from us much too soon in 2020 from pancreatic cancer. 

"We have hit the million mark," declared Frances Crowley after the cyclists, more than 200 of them, arrived at the Curragh after braving the driving wind and rain. The million mark wasn't just hit, it was smashed through. 

Cyclists arriving back after the Curragh To Curragh Cycle in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland led by Ger Smullen, brother of Pat Smullen, left, and Pat's son, Paddy, yellow and greenCredit: Caroline Norris

Gavin Lynch, who started the initiative in 2020 and has kept the show rolling, said: "We had raised €840,000 for Cancer Trials Ireland before today, so we needed another €160,000 to make the million, but we've done even better than that. 

"We have raised over €260,000 today, so this event is getting bigger and bigger every year. There is serious momentum behind it still and I want to say thanks a million to all our sponsors, especially Paddy Power and Ballylinch Stud.

"AP McCoy flew over for the cycle and is flying back tonight. That is some going. Paddy Smullen [son] is some man, he was up the front the whole way and what about Will Kennedy? He did the 100km cycle and is riding in the charity race later on."

This was a day when Irish racing was shown in its best light, a day when a legend of the game was remembered with the most fitting of tributes.

Cyclists in the parade ring after the Curragh To Curragh Cycle in aid of Cancer Trials IrelandCredit: Caroline Norris

'A little girl's dream come true'

Kennedy didn't just ride in the charity race, he almost won it on Mordor and gave best to only Olivia Marnane on the Jessica Harrington-trained Mo Ghille Mar in the closing stages. 

Marnane, daughter of leading breeze-up consignor Con, spoke passionately afterwards, saying: "That was pretty cool. It was amazing. The whole day has been unreal and the Smullen family are an absolute inspiration.

"I want to say thanks to the Harrington family as well for giving me the horse and making a little girl's dream come true. This is in memory of my mam [Theresa] but it is to help people in the future. You can't keep looking back, you have to look forward."

'She looks very smart'

The early races on the Curragh card were about the future, too. Smart juvenile Queen Of Hawaii was cut to 12-1 (from 20) by Paddy Power for the Fillies' Mile after her stylish success in the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes at odds of 100-30 under Dylan Browne McMonagle, who extended his lead at the top of the jockeys' table. 

Winning trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "We thought she was a smart filly and you come here to find out. She looks very smart and you’d have to be excited about her. She went through the line strong and Dylan said that she always feels like there is more in the locker.

Queen Of Hawaii wins the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud EBF StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I’d imagine that she’ll either go for the Goffs Million or Fillies' Mile in Newmarket. We could also look at the Moyglare. When she won her maiden at a mile we were looking at coming back to seven and having a look at the Goffs Million.

"We’ll see how she pulls up and discuss it with Philip [Antonacci, owner] and see. She’ll be heading for a Group 1, if it’s not the Million."

Mission accomplished

Mission Central is all speed and he blitzed his rivals in the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes. 

Aidan O'Brien said of the winner: “He learned a bit today, he had to get down and knuckle down. I’d say he’s quick, five would be no problem to him, and that’s slow ground.

The Group 3 Round Tower Stakes won by Mission Central and Wayne LordanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Wayne [Lordan] said he felt he was only hacking and the lads in the race felt they were flying; that’s the sign of a speed horse. I suppose he could be a Flying Childers type of horse, he’s very fast and I’d imagine that’s the type of horse he is.”

O’Brien and Lordan also teamed up to win the opening maiden with Hawk Mountain. 

Red Letter day for Lyons

Ger Lyons has always thought the world of Red Letter and she made it back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes under Gary Carroll in the manner of a potential top-notch performer. 

Lyons said: "We’ve just had to be so patient with her and we have a lovely horse to look forward to next year. Hopefully, she’ll fill all of her potential in the next 12 months and is a filly to look forward to.

Red Letter (nearside) wins the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We’re looking forward to Champions Weekend, which is very important to us, and we’ll have a look at the Blandford Stakes. The ground is very important as she needs ease.

"Obviously, the family have their say with her but we’ve been training her with all of this in mind, with both the backend of the season and next year. I think she can get a mile and a half, no problem."

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