Remembering Pat Smullen
16 Sep 2020
Racing in mourning after jockey tragically loses battle with Pancreatic cancer this week
Racing was shocked on Tuesday by the news that legendary jockey Pat Smullen had passed away at the age of just 43. Pat was a hugely admired figure in the sport, not only for his exploits on the track, but also for his remarkable charity fundraising efforts off it.
His talent as a jockey saw him win some of the most prestigious races in the sport, including some of the biggest prizes in Britain. We look back at some of his finest moments.
Fascinating Rock – 2015 QIPCO Champion Stakes, Ascot
Pat Smullen teamed up with long term ally Dermot Weld to cause an upset on Britain’s richest raceday. Fascinating Rock showing himself to be truly top class by lowering the colours of his highly-touted rivals Jack Hobbs and Found in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.
FASCINATING ROCK beat Found and Jack Hobbs in 2015. Who will be the 2016 QIPCO British Champion Stakes winner? https://t.co/2qi8do7RuU pic.twitter.com/CRC2vIKzET
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 13, 2016
Harzand – 2006 Derby, Epsom
Another huge win for the Pat Smullen/Dermot Weld team – this time in the famous Aga Khan silks on Derby Day. In a post-retirement interview Pat Said, “To win the Derby is the defining moment for a rider. I appreciated every minute of it.”
Pat Smullen was a wonderful jockey and a tremendous ambassador for racing in and out of the saddle.
Here’s his proudest moment as a rider, when winning the 2016 Derby at Epsom aboard Harzand in the silks of the Aga Khan for trainer Dermot Weld. pic.twitter.com/LpdJpyTKgT
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2020
Refuse To Bend – 2003 2000 Guineas, Newmarket
Refuse To Bend gave Pat his first British Classic winner on the Rowley Mile back in 2003, in the colours of Moyglare Stud whom the rider enjoyed such a fruitful association with.
A punch of the air at the finish as Pat Smullen wins the 2000 Guineas at @NewmarketRace in 2003 aboard Refuse To Bend.
It was one of six Group 1 victories that the 9-time Irish champion achieved in Britain. pic.twitter.com/VhejsDe3hH
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2020
Right Of Passage – 2010 Ascot Gold Cup, Ascot
Ever modest, Pat heaped praise on trainer Dermot Weld after winning the coveted Ascot Gold Cup in 2010. The horse would also win the QIPCO Long Distance Cup on Champions Day in 2012 – Pat’s first win at Ascot’s October showpiece.
Rite Of Passage, 2010 Gold Cup winner at @Ascot, and all the credit must go to Dermot Weld for his amazing training of the horse according to @patjsmullen… @MCYeeehaaa pic.twitter.com/HgMFzxPsyu
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 15, 2020
Free Eagle – 2015 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, Ascot
Quite simply a brilliant ride – Pat showed tremendous strength and determination to hold off a strong finish from well-fancied The Grey Gatsby.
Free Eagle wins The Prince of Wales’s Stakes for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen at Royal Ascot (2015) @patjsmullen @MoyglareStud pic.twitter.com/CteovQX5tN
— Horse Racing Archives (@RacingMem0ries) August 17, 2020