Smullen signs up McCoy, Walsh, Fallon and Swan for Champions Weekend event

Pat Smullen pledged to make the legends' charity race named in his honour something to savour and it's starting to look exactly that after he revealed a stellar line-up of former champions that will also include a first public mount for Ruby Walsh since his retirement at Punchestown in May.

Ruby Walsh: the legendary jockey has been snapped up by RTE's 2FM radio show Game OnCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS (racingpost.com/photos)

Walsh's great rival Sir Anthony McCoy is another marquee name who will return to the saddle in support of Smullen's cause, while Charlie Swan and Paul Carberry are two other former champion jump jockeys who will likewise dust off their breeches for the mile event that will follow the Irish St Leger on the Sunday of Longines Irish Champions Weekend at the the Curragh.

From the Flat, joining Smullen in what promises to be a fascinating throwback are Kieren Fallon, Johnny Murtagh, Richard Hughes, Joseph O'Brien and Ted Durcan.

In total, the chosen ten have amassed a mammoth 75 senior titles in three different countries, with Durcan, one of Smullen's closest friends, a seven-time champion in the United Arab Emirates.

It will be McCoy's second public mount since his glorious 2015 swansong, the 20-time champion having won the legends' race at Doncaster aboard Gannicus months after his retirement.

Sir Anthony McCoy, seen here embracing Hayley Turner, has been a regular contributor on ITV Racing's broadcastsCredit: Getty Images

The ICW equivalent, which is billed the Pat Smullen Champions Race For Cancer Trials Ireland, will form a central part of the Champions Weekend celebrations at the Curragh.

Smullen, whose recovery from pancreatic cancer and the positive attitude he adopted throughout have been a source of inspiration for many, was recently appointed an ambassador for the weekend. The nine-time champion Flat jockey feels the confirmed line-up is in keeping with the ethos of the two-day festival.

"It's great to have such an elite line up of champion jockeys," he told the Racing Post.

"With the weekend that's in it, we wanted to stick to the theme of champions, and I am indebted to all of the riders for agreeing to come on board.

"Suffice to say, some took more persuasion than others, and it's the first time Anthony McCoy will be back in the saddle on a racecourse since his Doncaster victory.

"I'd say it's safe to say it might be the last chance to see him ride in a race, so I hope the general public and the racing industry take the opportunity to come to the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend to support the initiative. It will be a unique opportunity to see a line-up of proper champions so it's going to be very special."

Smullen formally announced his retirement in May, the week after Walsh bowed out following his Gold Cup triumph on Kemboy, having undergone two major surgeries last autumn. He had first been diagnosed with cancer in March, 2018.

He has not ridden in public since his diagnosis, and hopes that the congregation of such a revered collection of totemic individuals will help raise significant funds in the ongoing quest to improve cancer treatment.

"The weekend features two of the best days Flat racing anywhere in the world, so hopefully we can play our part and make it an extra special occasion for Irish racing and raise a lot of money for Cancer Trials Ireland," he said.

Of the decision to partner with Cancer Trials Ireland, he explained: "I want to give something back after the incredible care I received during my treatment, and, after discussing it with my oncologist Professor Ray McDermott, I decided to go with Cancer Trials.

"That way the money goes to a specific end and doesn't just go into one big pool, which I think is the best way of doing it. I have had great support from Horse Racing Ireland, Leopardstown, the Curragh and the Longines Irish Champions Weekend committee to make this happen, and it is very exciting now to have the riders confirmed."

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