Sir AP McCoy Returns To The Saddle

Hospitality Finder’s Cheltenham & Aintree Ambassador Sir AP McCoy will return to the saddle to race in the Pat Smullen Champion’s Race for Cancer Trials Ireland on Sunday September 15 at the Curragh racecourse.

AP was crowned Champion Jump Jockey for 20 consecutive years in the UK before retiring in 2015. The race will see 10 former Champions compete over a straight mile at the Curragh during day two of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend with proceeds going towards Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. Pat Smullen battled pancreatic cancer following a diagnosis in March 2018.

AP told Hospitality Finder: “I wasn’t expecting to compete again but Pat is a life-long close friend and it’s for such a worthy cause and of huge importance to him. It will be a brilliant day and great fun to take part in. I’d like to say it’s all about taking part and not winning, but I’m not sure any of us can truthfully say that, as we are all still very competitive but it will be great fun. As long as I win. Only joking. It’s a strong line-up and it will be a battle to get into race shape, but there are battles…. and then there are battles… and after everything Pat and his family have been through recently, I hope we can help raise further awareness of, and proceeds towards, Pat’s charity Cancer Trials Ireland”.

Pat Smullen said: “We want to put on a real show on Longines Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh and bring together a group of former champions that are sure to be as competitive today as they were throughout their careers. I’ve had a tremendous reaction from my former colleagues and they’ve all been incredibly supportive. This race may be for charity but every one of these guys was ruthlessly competitive in the saddle and I’d have my doubts that time has dimmed that ambition! I think most people are aware of what I and my family went through last year and I am indebted to the brilliant people who looked after me in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. I want to try in some way to repay them and would dearly love the support of everybody in raising money to help fund vital cancer research, and this exciting champions race is one of a number of fundraising activities over the weekend.”

Horse Racing Ireland have today announced the line-up for the Pat Smullen Champion’s Race for Cancer Trials Ireland:-

Pat Smullen: Nine-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey
AP McCoy: 20-time British Champion Jump Jockey
Ruby Walsh: 12-time Irish Champion Jump Jockey and most successful jockey at the Cheltenham Festival
Charlie Swan: Nine-Time Irish Champion Jump Jockey
Johnny Murtagh: Five-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey
Richard Hughes: Three-time British Champion Flat Jockey
Paul Carberry: Two-time Irish Champion Jump Jockey
Joseph O’Brien: Two-time Irish Champion Flat Jockey and Pat’s nephew
Kieran Fallon: Six-time British Champion Flat Jockey
Ted Durcan: Seven-time United Arab Emirates Flat Champion Jockey