Nina Carberry set to make special return to the saddle at the Pat Smullen Raceday in aid of Cancer Trials at the Curragh
19 charity riders representing Dublin, Kentucky, Kildare, Meath, Northamptonshire, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford and Wicklow
The Curragh Racecourse will host the annual Pat Smullen Raceday in aid of Cancer Trials on Saturday, August 29, highlighted by the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by Ballylinch Stud. Former champion amateur jockey and MEP Nina Carberry and professional racing driver Max Hart will feature among the 19 riders.
Adding immense excitement to this year’s renewal, champion amateur jockey and Midlands–North-West MEP Nina Carberry has confirmed she will step out of retirement to join the dedicated riders taking part in the flagship charity race.
Carberry, renowned for her stellar career including an Irish Grand National victory and multiple Cheltenham successes, will dust off her riding boots to support the premier cancer trials organisation.
The 19 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.
Key highlights of the raceday also feature the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle in memory of Olive Lynch, bringing cyclists and supporters on a unique racing route through Rhode in Offaly, Pat Smullen’s home village and Kildangan Stud before returning to the Curragh to enjoy racing.
This year, the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle is attempting to create the largest gathering of yellow cycling jerseys at the County Kildare racecourse for a Guinness World Record.
The special raceday honours the memory and legacy of nine-time Irish champion flat jockey Pat Smullen, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020. Before his passing, Smullen inspired the racing community by spearheading massive fundraising initiatives for Cancer Trials Ireland.
Since its inception, the charity race day and the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle has raised over €1.2 million to support Cancer Trials Ireland, funding vital clinical trials nationwide.
Frances Smullen, said: “The support we continue to see for this day is simply amazing. To all the charity riders and cyclists who dedicate their time, train so hard, for such an important cause is really heartwarming. There incredible effort, courage, and spirit is so special to my family and I, and together you are continuing Pat’s legacy by helping Cancer Trials Ireland bring real hope to families facing this disease. Special thanks to Ballylinch Stud for their wonderful support that makes days like this possible.”
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of the Curragh Racecourse, commented: “The Curragh is delighted to dedicate our August 29 fixture to remembering Pat Smullen and to support the life-changing work of Cancer Trials Ireland. 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 Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by Ballylinch Stud.”
Cancer Trials Ireland CEO, Angela Clayton-Lea said: “I’m thrilled to report a recent breakthrough in pancreatic cancer research. For decades, pancreatic cancer has resisted effective treatment, leaving the majority of patients with a very poor prognosis. But in recent months, researchers have published positive results on “Daraxonrasib” which targets the main mutation found in 90% of pancreatic cancer patients.
“Thanks to the racing community and everyone who backed the Pat Smullen Fund in Cancer Trials Ireland, patients here will get access to the next line of trials using Daroxonrasib.
“Since 2019, you’ve helped us open four pancreatic cancer clinical trials and establish the Pat Smullen Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at UCD. You’ve put Ireland on the world stage for cancer research – and that reputation is exactly why patients diagnosed here will access these treatments sooner. Thank you for your trust and support. Please keep it up: we want to open more trials, and with your help, we will.”
ENDS
Admission tickets are €15 online or €20 on race day with a contribution going towards Cancer Trials Ireland. Under 18s are free.
The first race takes place at 1.18pm with the Pat Smullen Charity Race in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, supported by Ballylinch Stud bringing the exciting eight race programme to a close at 5.25pm. Other feature races include the Tote Irish Cambridgeshire Handicap, Newtownanner Stud Stakes, Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes and Snow Fairy Stakes.
To book tickets, please go to www.curragh.ie/tickets
To take part in the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle, please visit www.curraghtocurragh.ie
The 19 riders taking part in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by Ballylinch Stud, all have their own fundraising pages on the Enthuse platform.
- Ava Bourke, Co Tipperary
- Eimear Browne, Co Roscommon
- Nina Carberry, Co Meath
- Daisy-Mae Christie, Northamptonshire, UK
- Roisin Conway, Co Offaly
- John Ennis, Co Meath now living in Kentucky
- Francis Fagan, Co Kildare
- Owen Fagan, Co Kildare
- Tom Foley, Co Tipperary
- Max Hart, Co Wicklow
- Tara Hayes, Co Kildare
- Tadhg McGuinness, Co Dublin
- Orla McKenna, Co Louth
- Alex O’Connor, Co Dublin
- Annie O’Neill, Co Kildare
- Jane O’Sullivan, Co Dublin
- Gordon Power, Co Waterford
- Alister Weld, Co Kildare
- Lisa Wynn, Co Dublin
