A CHEQUE for €240,000 was handed over to Cancer Trials Ireland at the Curragh last Sunday, proceeds of this year’s Pat Smullen Race Day which took place on August 31st.

The event has now raised €840,000 for the charity in just three years.

Named in honour of the nine-time champion Jockey, the race day played host to the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race supported by the Breeze-Up Consignors Association, the Curragh to Curragh 100km charity cycle, together with many more events and activities which raised funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland.

Frances Crowley, wife of the late Pat Smullen, said: “I am overwhelmed by the determination and commitment of the charity riders and cyclists in their fundraising efforts this year. They surpassed all our expectations in terms of monies raised in Pat’s name.

“Over the past three years, we have raised over €840,000 in aid of Cancer Trails Ireland which funds life-saving research into pancreatic cancer and supports Professor O’Kane’s goal to develop and implement robust and innovative research programmes in pancreatic cancer.

“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the Breeze-Up Consignors Association and to Paddy Power for their support, everyone in the horseracing community, Pat’s friends and colleagues in the weigh room, and to many others whose lives have been affected by pancreatic cancer for this unwavering commitment.

“It is only due to their steadfast support each year that we can make this long-term funding commitment to Cancer Trials Ireland.”

Organiser of the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle and proud supporter of Cancer Trials Ireland, Gavin Lynch welcomed the consolidation across the two fundraisers.

“By combining the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Charity Race and the Curragh to Curragh charity cycle we have bolstered the Pat Smullen Race Day at The Curragh Racecourse into an extraordinarily successful fundraiser in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland,” he said.

“It is hugely gratifying to be part of this initiative raising funds for life saving research into pancreatic cancer and in doing so I hope we can provide hope and meaningful improvements to all those battling pancreatic cancer in Ireland.”

The Curragh is now inviting expressions of interest to take part in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30th next year. Those interested should email Evan Arkwright at eark@curragh.ie