DON'T forget a vital day for your diary - next Saturday August 27th at the Curragh. Following on from the extraordinary awareness campaign and fund-raising drive over Longines Irish Champions Weekend in 2019, which culminated in the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland, this year the Curragh will host the Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland next Saturday August 27th.

Cycle ride

This unique event will include the second outing of the Coast to Curragh cycle, which starts at Laytown Racecourse at 8am taking in seven racecourses and two stud farms in total, finishing at the winning line at the Curragh during the race meeting. The charity cycle will see those never say die stalwarts A.P. McCoy, Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry take part.

Charity lunch

The race day will include a special charity lunch and auction in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland featuring some outstanding items such as the original silks worn by Rachael Blackmore to win the 2022 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup.

There will also be a Cashel Palace racing royalty package, a racehorse ownership experience with Joseph O’Brien, Pat Smullen’s 2019 Champions Race memorabilia signed by all the jockeys who rode in the famous race and a VIP race and stay in Barberstown Castle.

There will be a greeting zone for racing fans to meet the jockeys, free children’s entertainment, live music and a delicious BBQ.

Cancer Trials Ireland will be on hand offering advice and information. There will also be copies of Pat Smullen’s autobiography on sale, signed by Pat’s wife Frances and writer Donn McClean.

To book tickets, please go to www.curragh.ie and to register for the Coast to Curragh Cycle, please visit www.coasttocurragh.ie