Pat Smullen Race Day raises €240,000 for Cancer Trials Ireland

The 2024 renewal of the Pat Smullen Race Day on August 31 has raised €240,000 in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland

Named in honour of the nine-time champion jockey from Rhode, the race day played host to the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by the Breeze-Up Consigners Association, the Curragh to Curragh 100km charity cycle together with many more events and activities which raised funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland.

The Pat Smullen Race Day, together with the Curragh-to-Curragh charity cycle has now raised in excess of €840,000 for pancreatic cancer research in Ireland and supported the appointment in August 2024 of Professor Grainne O’Kane as the inaugural Pat Smullen Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at University College Dublin. This new position anchors the expertise in pancreatic research in the State with the ambition of creating a global centre of excellence for treatment and research into pancreatic cancer..

Incredible fundraising efforts by 20 riders who took part in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race were matched by the efforts of hundreds of cyclists who rode in the Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle, the brainchild of Gavin Lynch, who lost his mother Olive to pancreatic cancer. The two fundraising initiatives, supported by the Breeze-Up Consigners Association and Paddy Power, came together on the day to contribute to the €240,000 raised this year.

Speaking at the presentation of funds, Frances Crowley, wife of the late Pat Smullen said: “I am overwhelmed by the determination and commitment of the charity riders and cyclists in their fundraising efforts this year. They surpassed all our expectations in terms of monies raised in Pat’s name. Over the past three years, we have raised over €840,000 in aid of Cancer Trails Ireland which funds life-saving research into pancreatic cancer and supports Professor O’Kane’s goal to develop and implement robust and innovative research programmes in pancreatic cancer.

"My heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the Breeze-Up Consigners Association and to Paddy Power for their support, everyone in the horse racing community, Pat’s friends and colleagues in the weigh room, and to many others whose lives have been affected by pancreatic cancer for this unwavering commitment. It is only due to their steadfast support each year that we can make this long-term funding commitment to Cancer Trials Ireland.”

Organiser of the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle and proud supporter of Cancer Trials Ireland, Gavin Lynch welcomed the consolidation across the two fundraisers “by combining the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Charity Race and the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle we have bolstered the Pat Smullen Race Day at The Curragh Racecourse into an extraordinarily successful fundraiser in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland. It is hugely gratifying to be part of this initiative raising funds for life saving research into pancreatic cancer and in doing so I hope we can provide hope and meaningful improvements to all those battling pancreatic cancer in Ireland”.

Angela Clayton-Lea, COO of Cancer Trials Ireland said: “Pat Smullen’s legacy lives on through the awareness and funds generated for pancreatic cancer patients including new treatment options for 174 patients with pancreatic cancer, at no cost to themselves, or to the State. Professor O’Kane, in her capacity as the Pat Smullen Chair in UCD, will help to further develop the research infrastructure in place in hospitals, meaning we will be better able to support the development of pancreatic cancer clinical trials in general, and be ready to take full advantage of important treatment advances which may give rise to further research opportunities for pancreatic cancer.”

Speaking after the cheque presentation, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive Officer of the Curragh Racecourse acknowledged the huge efforts of the Pat Smullen Race Day Committee, led by Frances Crowley.

“We are in awe of Frances and her determination each year in bringing this race day to life, raising funds in Pat’s name and for the benefit of hundreds of people throughout Ireland suffering with pancreatic cancer. There is always a special atmosphere at this race meeting. The Curragh is delighted to host the charity race, this year with the backing of the Breeze-Up Consigners Association and it was wonderful to see Gavin Lynch and all the cyclists start and finish their 100km cycle at the Curragh. Pat’s memory is very special here at the Curragh and he would be very proud of the efforts and endeavors of all those who held him in such high esteem and work tirelessly in his name to raise funds for the fight against this disease. We look forward to welcoming Frances, her family and the racing community back to the racecourse in 2025 for the fourth running of the Pat Smullen Raceday in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland.”

The Curragh is now inviting expressions of interest to take part in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30, next year. Please contact Evan Arkwright at the Curragh Racecourse by email eark@curragh.ie