Pat Smullen

Background and apprenticeship

Smullen was born in County Offaly and was introduced to riding and racing by his brother Sean, who worked for trainer Joanna Morgan. He was then apprenticed to local trainer Tommy Lacy, who provided him with his first winner, Vicosa, at Dundalk in 1993. Smullen won the Irish apprentice championship in 1995 and 1996.

Career

Smullen spent two years as a stable jockey to John Oxx, winning his first Group 1 race, the Moyglare Stud Stakes, on Tarascon for trainer Tommy Stack at the Curragh in 1997. In 1999 he became first jockey to trainer Dermot Weld, a position he retained until his retirement in 2018. He was Irish champion jockey in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016, a total of nine times.

Smullen's first Classic victory came in the Irish St. Leger in 2001 on Vinnie Roe for Dermot Weld. They went on to win the same race the next three years. Other Irish Classic victories came in the 2004 Irish Derby on Grey Swallow, the 2015 Irish Oaks on Covert Love and two Irish 1,000 Guineas on Nighttime and Bethrah. A total of twelve European Classic wins also included the 2016 Epsom Derby and Irish Derby double on Harzand for Dermot Weld and owner the Aga Khan.

In May 2018 Smullen announced his retirement from race riding on medical advice, having undergone chemotherapy and surgery for pancreatic cancer the previous year. He had ridden 1,845 winners in Ireland and 47 in Britain.

Personal life

Smullen married Frances Crowley, trainer and amateur jockey, in 2001. They have three children, Hannah, Paddy and Sarah.

In September 2019 Smullen organised a legends race at the Curragh to raise funds for pancreatic cancer trials and research. Two months later he was honoured at the 2019 Cartier Racing Awards with the Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.

Death and legacy

Smullen died aged 43 in Dublin on 15 September 2020 from a case of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the cancer in March of 2018. He ended up raising considerable funds for charity upon learning of his diagnosis where over 1 million Euros were raised towards Cancer research in Ireland. The charity is still active today.

Major wins

Ireland Ireland

• Flying Five Stakes – (2) – Benbaun (2006, 2007)
• Irish 1,000 Guineas – (2) – Nightime (2006), Bethrah (2010)
• Irish Derby – (2) – Grey Swallow (2004), Harzand (2016)
• Irish Oaks – (1) – Covert Love (2015)
• Irish St. Leger – (4) – Vinnie Roe (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
• Matron Stakes – (2) – Dress to Thrill (2002), Emulous (2011)
• Moyglare Stud Stakes – (1) – Tarascon (1997)
• National Stakes – (1) – Refuse to Bend (2002)
• Pretty Polly Stakes – (1) – Chinese White (2010)
• Tattersalls Gold Cup – (3) – Grey Swallow (2005), Casual Conquest (2009), Fascinating Rock (2016)

France France

• Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (1) – Benbaun (2007)
• Prix de l'Opéra – (1) – Covert Love (2015)
• Prix Royal-Oak – (1) – Vinnie Roe (2001)

United Kingdom Great Britain

• Epsom Derby – (1) – Harzand (2016)
• 2,000 Guineas – (1) – Refuse to Bend (2003)
• Ascot Gold Cup – (1) – Rite of Passage (2010)
• Champion Stakes – (1) – Fascinating Rock (2015)
• Prince of Wales's Stakes – (1) – Free Eagle (2015)
• Sun Chariot Stakes – (1) – Dress to Thrill (2002)

United States United States

• Breeders' Cup Marathon – (1) – Muhannak (2008)
• Matriarch Stakes – (1) – Dress to Thrill (2002)

References

References

1. (7 May 2019). "Derby-winning jockey Pat Smullen retires following advice from doctors". [[Racing Post]].
2. "Pat Smullen stats". Racing Post.
3. (16 September 2020). "Pat Smullen - a racing great whose legacy will endure both on and off the track". [[Racing Post]].
4. "Irish jockey Smullen dies aged 43". BBC Sport.
5. (12 November 2019). "Enable voted Horse of the Year at Cartier Awards; jockey Pat Smullen honoured".
6. https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/29894179/irish-champion-jockey-pat-smullen-dies-43
7. https://www.curragh.ie/pat-smullen-race-day/