Murtagh and Carberry returning to saddle for Smullen charity race
Ten legendary riders with 75 Flat and Jumps champion titles between them have been assembled by Pat Smullen for his Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland at the Curragh on day two of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend on Sunday 15th September.
Smullen, who was recently treated fro cancer, has announced that Ruby Walsh, AP McCoy, Kieren Fallon, Johnny Murtagh, Richard Hughes, Charlie Swan, Joseph O’Brien, Ted Durcan and Paul Carberry will join him for the mile race which will be run after the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, the feature race at the Curragh racecourse over Longines Irish Champions Weekend.
"To have Ruby and AP riding against each other one more time will be exciting, and when you see Charlie and Paul there too, we really have what many consider four of the greatest Jumps riders of all time,” said Pat Smullen.
“Over a mile though, the Flat lads will fancy their chances! And we have signed up five brilliant Flat champions - Kieren is a hugely popular figure with racegoers here, Johnny, Richard, Joseph and Ted were world-class jockeys with whom I was lucky to share the weigh room.
“These fellas are heroes to so many people and I have to say I am humbled by the way they have without any hesitation thrown themselves into this project and are supporting this race.
“All of us want to make this a competitive race worth watching and so we will be sourcing horses over the next few weeks. Already we’ve had trainers and owners offering their support and that will be very important because, as well as this being about creating an exciting event over Longines Irish Champions Weekend, my priority is also about raising money for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading Irish cancer research trials organisation.”
All monies raised for The Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland and other various fund raising activities over Longines Irish Champions weekend will be donated to Cancer Trials Ireland for their work into pancreatic cancer trials and research. You can donate now on cancertrials.ie
The 10 champion jockeys taking part in the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland, are:
1. Pat Smullen: Nine-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey
2. AP McCoy: 20-time British Champion Jump Jockey
3. Ruby Walsh: 12-time Irish Champion Jump Jockey
4. Charlie Swan: Nine-Time Irish Champion Jump Jockey
5. Johnny Murtagh: Five-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey
6. Richard Hughes: Three-time British Champion Flat Jockey
7. Paul Carberry: Two-time Irish Champion Jump Jockey
8. Joseph O’Brien: Two-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey
9. Kieren Fallon: Six-time British Champion Flat Jockey
10. Ted Durcan: Seven-time United Arab Emirates Flat Champion Jockey