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Horse Racing Stars Come Together For Fundraiser In Memory Of Pat Smullen

Thursday, 29 July 2021 07:16

The proceeds will be donated to Cancer Trials Ireland.

On Saturday September 25 join a host of racing personalities on a unique charity cycle, taking in seven racecourses and two stud farms. Starting at Laytown Races and finishing at the Curragh Racecourse, the Coast to Curragh charity cycle is 155km in total. All monies raised will be donated to Cancer Trials Ireland in memory of Pat Smullen.

Cyclists can join at any of the racecourses or stud farms and choose to cycle a variety of distances from 12km/25km/30km/55km/80km/110km or the entire 155km.

Members of Pat Smullen’s family along with Ruby Walsh, Johnny Murtagh, Paul Carberry, Joseph O'Brien, Fran Berry, Charlie Swan, Barry Geraghty, Paul Townend, Patrick Mullins and racing pundits Kevin Blake and Gary O'Brien are some of the racing stars who are supporting the cycle.  

The cycle features a meet and greet with Harzand at Gilltown Stud. Harzand gave Pat Smullen his first triumph in the Epsom Derby in 2016. The pair went on to secure the Irish Derby a few weeks later.

The Coast to Curragh charity cycle is the brainchild of Gavin Lynch, who lost his mother Olive to pancreatic cancer. A huge racing fan, Gavin was also inspired by nine-time Flat champion jockey Pat Smullen who raised much needed funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer trials over Longines Irish Champions Weekend in 2019 while fighting his own battle with the same illness.

The Coast to Curragh charity cycle stages are as follows:

7.30am Laytown Races / Laytown Beach (155km approx. from here to the finish)
8.30am Bellewstown Racecourse
10am Navan Racecourse (110km to the finish)
11.30am Fairyhouse Racecourse (80km to the finish)
12.45pm Moyglare Stud (55km to the finish)
2pm Naas Racecourse (30km to the finish)
2.15pm Punchestown Racecourse (25km to the finish)
2.45pm Gilltown Stud (Meet Harzand – 12km to the finish)
3.30pm Curragh Racecourse

To take part in the cycle, just register on the events page on the Cycling Ireland website. You can donate on the Coast to Curragh GoFundMe page, or you can email coasttocurragh@gmail.com for a sponsorship card. Sponsorship cards are also available in all Paddy Power shops

GoFundMe page: here.
 
Frances Smullen, Pat’s wife, said:

 “Pat was so focused and determined to raise as much awareness as possible about pancreatic cancer and raise money for Cancer Trials Ireland’s vital cancer research work, so I know he would be very proud and humbled that Gavin shares the same vision. I’d like to sincerely thank Gavin for organising this very special cycle and I’d encourage everyone to take part, even if it is to cycle one or two stages. It’s going to be brilliant fun and everyone taking part will visit some of Ireland’s most picturesque and iconic racecourses and stud farms – some of Pat’s favourites and all very close to his heart.”

Gavin Lynch, Coast to Curragh charity cycle organiser, commented:

“This is going a very special cycle and I’d love to see as many people taking part and supporting Cancer Trials Ireland. We have had brilliant support so far, including generous support from Paddy Power and Servier Laboratories (Ireland) Ltd. They cycle is open to all levels of fitness and ability, so I’ve encourage everyone to give it a go.”
 
Eibhlín Mulroe, CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland, said: 

“I want to thank Gavin Lynch for supporting Cancer Trials Ireland, in memory of Pat Smullen and his own mother. Gavin’s enthusiasm and endeavour comes at a special time, one year after we all lost Pat, and two years since Pat raised €2.6m for pancreatic cancer research. That money is helping to bring four new options to Irish pancreatic cancer patients – two drug trials, one radiotherapy study, and another study aiming to aid recovery from surgery. None of these options would have been possible without Pat Smullen and the horse racing community, and he continues to inspire people to this day. Thank you, Gavin for honouring Pat and thinking of Cancer Trials Ireland.”

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