Tipperary riders will take part in Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland

The Curragh Racecourse is under starters orders for the Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland on Saturday August 31.

The day will feature a host of events and activities to raise funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. 

The showpiece of the day is the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race, supported by the Breeze-Up Consigners Association. 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.

Three riders from Tipperary are taking part.

Shane Harris from Fethard is riding in this race as Cancer Trials Ireland is a charity he wants to support and help raise much- needed funds for, as so many people have been impacted by cancer in some shape or form.

He has been riding racehorses for the last eight years with his local pre-trainer PJ Colville. Shane works full-time, plays polocrosse at a top level and also re-trains former racehorses for polocrosse. He has always wanted to ride in a race and experience the entire process and hopes to put on a good show. 

Jamie Heffernan is a Kilkenny man, living in Rosegreen. He has grown up around horses all his life and for 10 years worked as a work rider in Ballydoyle. He now farms full-time at home and rides out as often as he can with local trainers such as John Grogan.

Unfortunately, cancer has affected both friends and family of Jamie’s over the years. His local village, Rosegreen, has seen some very sad losses due to this terrible disease in the past year alone and he feels the work that Cancer Trials Ireland do in expanding cancer research in Ireland is very important.

Jamie’s dad Seamus rode alongside Pat for many years.

Joan Widger from Clonmel is really looking forward to riding in the Pat Smullen charity race for Cancer Trials Ireland. It is her first time to ride in a charity race and she is honoured to do so for such a great cause.

Joan is dedicating her race to her dad who passed away from cancer in 2014 and her sister, who had her own battle with cancer and rode in this race last year. She has been riding from an early age through pony club, eventing and show jumping.

In preparation for the race, Joan is riding out for Miguel Gunn and John ‘Shark’ Hanlon. She is up for the challenge and looking forward to a wonderful day. 

People may donate to any of the charity riders via their GoFundMe pages.

Go to http://www.gofundme.com and type the rider's name in the search bar.

The 100 kilometres 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 barbecue, hosted in the Oaks Restaurant with stunning views of The Curragh parade ring.

To book tickets, go to www.curragh.ie/tickets