Irish Champion jockey Pat Smullen to be remembered at Dundalk Stadium
THE nine-times Irish Champion jockey Pat Smullen will be remembered at Dundalk Stadium in County Louth, Ireland with the inaugural running of the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes this Friday, 16th October.
Dundalk Stadium, County Louth Ireland
The multiple Classic winner died last month at the age of 43 following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
The five furlongs race with a purse of €50,000 will be backed by the United Arab Emirate’s Al Basti Equiworld horse feeds and supplements brand, a reflection of the long-standing friendship with founder Malih Al Basti.
“Pat was a terrific horseman and great friend,” said Malih Al Basti. “I hope this race will provide those who knew him or admired his achievements from afar with an opportunity to reflect a truce racing legend.”
Pat Smullen’s career best season came in 2016 with 129 wins, sealing his ninth championship title for a career total of 1,892 winners in the UK and Ireland as well as accruing star-studded international successes.
Image credit horseracing.net
While lighting up the world of horseracing, Pat Smullen rode his first career winner at Dundalk Stadium.
“We are delighted that Al Basti Equiworld Dubai has chosen to honour 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,” said Dundalk Stadium chief executive Jim Martin. “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.”
Contact Jim Martin at jim@dundalkstadium.com or Michael O’Hagan for Al Basti Equiworld Dubai at michael@michaelohagan.ie.
