Offaly duo to take part in Pat Smullen charity race
The Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race, in aid of the leading cancer trials research organisation, returns to the Curragh Racecourse on Saturday, August 30.
Now in its fourth year of making a profound impact, this inspirational event, alongside the Curragh-to-Curragh charity cycle, has raised over €850,000 to date to support vital cancer research. This year, organisers hope to reach the €1 million milestone.
Proudly supported by Ballylinch Stud, 22 dedicated riders will go to post on August 30 in honour of the legendary champion jockey Pat Smullen from Offaly and in memory of loved ones affected by cancer.
“Our sponsorship of the Pat Smullen Charity Race for Cancer Trials Ireland is a heartfelt tribute to a true champion. We shared plenty of success with Pat in the Ballylinch colours, and we have always held him in the highest regard both as an outstanding professional and an exceptional human being. His bravery and generosity of spirit during his battle with cancer is an inspiration to all of us," said John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud.
"Cancer has touched nearly every household in Ireland, and each participant in this race brings their own personal connection to the cause, making this tribute to Pat and the support of Cancer Trials Ireland, all the more meaningful,"
Two Offaly participants are included among the 22 riders taking part, Barry Lacy and Aaron Smullen.
Barry will be riding on a racecourse for the first time in 32 years in honour of his late father Tom Lacy, who passed away recently following a terminal cancer diagnosis and in memory of his dear friend, Pat Smullen.
Aaron Smullen from Edenderry is a keen point-to-point enthusiast who currently rides out for Ballydoyle. He takes to the saddle at the Curragh in honour of three grandparents and his cousin Pat Smullen, each of whom he has lost to cancer.
Claire O’Ryan, niece of Pat Smullen, rides to celebrate her uncle’s legacy and raise awareness for breast cancer survivors and those lost to cancer in her family.
Riders from Offaly, Laois, Tipperary, Kildare, Cork, Dublin, Down, Galway, Monaghan, Waterford and Wicklow are taking part.
Each jockey riding in charity race brings their own deeply personal connection to the cause:
Sam Austin who currently rides out for Andy Slattery dedicates his ride to his grandparents.
Jennifer Babington, a keen horse enthusiast who rides out with Anthony McCann in Monaghan, rides in memory of her grandmother and uncle.
Christopher Brabston, who has worked with Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien and now works with Sean Flanagan Valets, rides in the race to raise money for Cancer Trials Ireland following the recovery of his father from prostate cancer earlier this year.
Ella Budds rides in memory of her father Ned and uncle Mike, who both passed away from cancer in 2024. Ella continues her family’s love of horses and shares a touching link to Pat Smullen, as her father found strength reading his biography during chemotherapy.
Davy Condon, renowned National Hunt jockey, rides in honour of Pat Smullen and his aunt and godmother Jo Townend.
Ben Cusack, who has worked at Moyglare Stud where Pat Smullen famously rode, supports the cause on behalf of friends and family affected by cancer.
Gary Dowling, having grown up around horses, rediscovered his passion for riding at a charity race in Punchestown last year. He is now channelling his enthusiasm into raising funds for Cancer Trials Ireland and cherishes the opportunity to ride around the Curragh.
Cian Fenelon remembers his grandmother and supports families navigating the challenges of cancer.
William Kennedy, a former professional jockey, comes out of retirement to ride not for glory but to help raise funds for life-saving cancer trials.
Jessica Kinsella, rides on her doorstep at the Curragh, in tribute to her grandmother, a cancer survivor.
Lucy Kayes rides to honour her grandfather lost to cancer and to raise awareness following the recent diagnosis of a close teacher with spinal cancer.
Charlie King, a 20-year-old farrier from Laois, joins the race committed to fundraising for Cancer Trials Ireland.
Olivia Marnane, daughter of the late Theresa Marnane of Bansha House Stables – an esteemed horse owner and breeder – rides in honour of her mother and to raise money to benefit all those affected by cancer.
Tara Moneypenny, who rides out for Gordon Elliott Racing, honours family members lost to inoperable brain cancer, while also supporting her father’s ongoing recovery from bowel cancer.
David Ryan, father of Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe winning jockey Rossa Ryan, rides in memory of his best friend Gerry Lardener, who died of pancreatic cancer.
Pat Shanahan, also a former professional jockey, returns to the saddle after years away, riding in memory of his mother and other family members lost to cancer, and in tribute to his friend Pat Smullen.
Katie Timmins, an equine physical therapist, supports ongoing cancer treatment research that has helped her father maintain a good quality of life.
Barty Walczak has worked with Colin Bowe for over 20 years and dedicates his ride to his partner Brenda Shortt, who has courageously faced aggressive skin cancer, as well as to family members in Poland lost to the disease.
Brian Whelan rides to support his cousin who received a cancer diagnosis on the same week that the day of the Pat Smullen race day was announced. Brian has fully committed, buying his own horse which is being trained by Harty Racing and will race in his own colours.
Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle
The Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, the brainchild of Gavin Lynch who lost his mother Olive to pancreatic cancer, will also take place on August 30 as part of The Pat Smullen Race Day.
The cycle will start and finish at the Curragh Racecourse, covering 100km and visiting three racecourses and two stud farms. Now in its fifth year and generously supported by Paddy Power, cyclists can join at any of the racecourses or stud farms along the route, choosing anything from a 12km to a 100km challenge. Famed Irish jockey Sir AP McCoy once again joins the cycle to raise funds in memory of his great friend and colleague Pat Smullen.
A legacy of impact and hope
Since its inception in 2022, the Pat Smullen Race Day at the Curragh has raised more than €850,000 for pancreatic cancer research. The funds supported the creation of the inaugural Pat Smullen Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at University College Dublin, held by Professor Grainne O’Kane. This pivotal role aims to establish Ireland as a global centre of excellence in pancreatic cancer treatment and research — a disease with alarmingly low survival rates.
The Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race promises a moving and memorable day at the Curragh on August 30. Fans, families, and supporters are invited to attend, donate, and share in the mission to support cancer trials and honour the courage of all affected by cancer.
To buy tickets, donate or for more information, visit https://www.curragh.ie/pat-smullen-race-day/ - or follow @patsmullenraceday on Instagram. To donate directly to participating riders, please visit their individual iDonate or GoFundMe pages.
Cycle participants can register their interest at www.curraghtocurragh.ie - which is free to join for members of Cycling Ireland.