Cyclists arrive on course ahead of The Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race 2023© Photo Healy Racing
The Curragh Racecourse are under starters orders for the Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland on Saturday August 31 and features a host of events and activities to raise funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland.
The show piece of the day is the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by the Breeze-Up Consigners Association and Pat Smullen’s son Paddy is among the 20 riders taking part. The riders, who have to raise a minimum of €3,000 for the charity, will ride over the world famous 12 furlongs Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby course and are all taking part in memory of a family member or friend who they lost to cancer or to support anyone currently living with cancer.
The 100km Curragh to Curragh charity cycle in memory of Olive Lynch and sponsored by Paddy Power, is also a key part of the fundraising. Prior to racing, 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy will lead the unique cycle, which takes in Moyglare Stud, Naas and Punchestown racecourses and Gilltown Stud before cyclists return to the Curragh during racing.
Racegoers are guaranteed a fun day for all the family including the Pat Smullen Race Day Barbeque hosted in the Oaks Restaurant. Tickets are €50 and include admission and a delicious barbeque, hosted in the Oaks Restaurant with stunning views of the Curragh parade ring.
Anyone who buys a raffle ticket on the day will have an opportunity to win a holiday for two for seven nights to the four-star Sunset Beach Club on the Costa del Sol, part of the FBD Hotels and Resorts group.
In addition to supporting the Curragh to Curragh cycle, Paddy Power is also showing their support by sponsoring the feature race, the Irish Cambridgeshire.
Brian Kavanagh, Curragh Racecourse CEO, said: “We are delighted to work closely with Cancer Trials Ireland and overwhelmed with the response to the Pat Smullen race day which has raised substantial funds since it was launched in 2019. Everyone’s generosity will make a significant impact to pancreatic cancer patients. I would encourage everyone to donate to the various initiatives taking place across the day including the charity cycle and the riders taking part in the Pat Smullen charity race.”
Brendan Holland of Grove Stud, representing the Breeze-Up Consigners Association, commented: “Unfortunately, in the last few years some of our members’ relatives and friends have suffered from and passed away from cancer, so when the opportunity arose to be involved in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland charity race, we thought it was a great opportunity to proactively support the important work of Cancer Trials Ireland and all the brave riders taking part in the race. It’s going to be a great day and a special race for a cause that is close to so many of us.”
Angela Clayton-Lea, COO, Cancer Trials Ireland, said:
“We are profoundly grateful to the horse racing community in Ireland for their unwavering support in raising critical awareness of pancreatic cancer. Over the past five years, through events such as the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland race day, they have raised over €3 million to fund vital pancreatic cancer research. This research, made possible by the community’s generosity, is an enduring part of Pat’s legacy and is making a tangible difference in the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer.”
Paddy Power spokesperson Rachael Kane said:
“The Irish Cambridgeshire has been a highlight of the racing calendar for many moons, but it’s become a truly unmissable occasion since the inception of The Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland day. We take huge pride in supporting this event since its establishment in memory of one of Irish horse racing’s true legends.”
Admission tickets are €15 online or €20 on race day with a contribution going towards Cancer Trials Ireland. Under 18s are free
Pat Smullen Race Day Barbeque package: €50 — General admission, racecard, barbeque meal in Oaks Restaurant
