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Irish Stars Support CHI Foundation In Honor of Pat Smullen

In memory of the late champion jockey Pat Smullen, Irish racing stars have pledged their support in the fundraising efforts of the Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin, which aims to purchase a spinal cell saver auto transfusion device for the children’s hospital, CHI at Crumlin. In the coming weeks, jockeys and racing personalities will call on racing and sports fans for donations towards the essential blood transfusion equipment.

John Butler, Jockeys’ Sports Physiotherapist and Paul Quish, Racecourse Announcer, who spearheaded the campaign in 2019, both agreed: “Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, everyone in racing is more determined than ever to continue the much-needed fundraising for Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin. Our former colleague Pat Smullen was inspirational in his support for our project last year and we have dedicated this year’s effort to his memory. We are all focused on raising the funds to buy the spinal cell saver auto transfusion, an essential piece of equipment that CHI at Crumlin specifically identified to provide children all over Ireland with life-changing treatment. Any donations, big or small will be really appreciated.”

Additionally, Irish racecourses around the country will name a race to promote the fundraising initiative–‘Irish Racing Industry Fundraiser for Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin in memory of Pat Smullen.’

For more information, visit www.childrenshealth.ie or to make a donation, click here.

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Smullen to be Honored with Dundalk Stakes Race

Nine-time Irish Champion Jockey, Pat Smullen, who lost his battle with cancer last month, will be honored at Dundalk Stadium with the inaugural running of the five-furlong G3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury S. Oct. 16. The €50,000 event is sponsored by Al Basti Equiworld, a UAE distributor of horse feeds and supplements. Smullen held a long association with the brand as well as a long-standing friendship with the brand’s founder, Malih Al Basti.

“Pat was a terrific horseman and a great friend, said Al Basti. “I hope this race will provide all those who knew him or admired his achievements from afar with an opportunity to reflect on a true racing legend.”

Chief Executive Jim Martin said, “We are delighted that Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai has chosen to honor Pat with a race at Dundalk Stadium where he rode his first winner, Vicosa, for trainer Tom Lacy in June 1993, and his last aboard Anthony McCann’s Togoville in March, 2018. We have enjoyed some great moments with Pat in between and look forward to celebrating his outstanding career with this prestigious event later this month.”

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Pilot Error: ‘We’re Got Another Lap To Go Here, My Friend’

The race was called “Remembering Pat Smullen Today At Golden Gate Fields,” but Sunday's eighth race at the Northern California track is one that veteran jockey Alejandro Gomez would surely like to forget.

Named in honor of the nine-time champion Irish jockey who died last week at the age of 43 from pancreatic cancer, the starter allowance was scheduled at 1 1/2 miles on the turf, the same distance, as track announcer Matt Dinerman pointed out, as the Irish Derby that Smullen had won twice – most recently with Dermot Weld-trained Harzand in 2016.

The starting gate for this starter allowance contest was positioned nearly five furlongs from the finish line on the backstretch, meaning the nine runners would go 1 1/2 times around the about seven-furlong turf course.

Gomez was aboard Shot of a Lifetime, the second choice in the wagering at 3-1 odds for trainer Ellen Jackson. The California-bred gelding broke alertly from the No. 4 post position and quickly went to the front, opening up five lengths after a quarter mile in :24.12 and he was 15 lengths in front after a half in :47.40. Gomez could be seen peeking back several times, no doubt wondering where the competition was.

But then, shortly after crossing the finish line well in front of his closest pursuer, Gomez raised up in the saddle, allowing Shot of a Lifetime to gallop out toward the outside rail, his job seemingly done.

And then came the rest of the field, as Dinerman said: “And Shot of a Lifetime, I'm not sure if the rider understands, we've got another lap to go here my friend…and Shot of a Lifetime being taken out of the race. Shot of a Lifetime eased up now.”

Colour Me Happy, the 11-10 betting favorite, would go on to win by four lengths under William Antongeorgi III.

Gomez, a Northern California mainstay, began riding in 2006 and has registered 642 career wins from 4,677 starts. Shot of a Lifetime has won eight of 34 career starts, his most recent victory coming May 25 when he won going one mile on turf under Gomez at Golden Gate as an 11-1 longshot.

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Pat Smullen Laid To Rest

In St Peter’s Church, which was bedecked with flowers from the garden at Moyglare Stud, Pat Smullen was laid to rest on Friday near his home in Rhode.

The family service, restricted in numbers because of Covid-19 protocols, was streamed via Zoom and was joined by 700 mourners from around the world, including many of the multiple champion jockey’s friends from the weighing-room.

Paying tribute to her husband during the service, Frances Crowley referred to the fact that his death came exactly a year after the Pat Smullen Champions Race, which helped to raise more than €2.5 million for Cancer Trials Ireland during Irish Champions Weekend.

“I think that symbolises exactly what it meant to him,” she said.

Smullen, 43, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2018 and died in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday evening. As he was brought home to Co Offaly on Wednesday, the hearse passed by the Curragh, where the flags flew at half-mast at the racecourse which had been the scene of some his greatest triumphs, including two Irish Derby victories aboard Harzand (Ire) and Grey Swallow (Ire). Harzand’s saddle cloths from the Derby and Irish Derby were draped across his coffin.

In her composed address, which acknowledged the loss felt by her husband’s legion of family and friends, Crowley offered encouragement to others facing a similar struggle with illness.

She said, “I have a message to you from Pat: keep going, don’t lose heart, please don’t let this knock you back.”

Crowley’s moving tribute ended with her own message to her husband, “We know you did your best in everything you did, Pat. You always did your best. Always.”

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