Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Eamon Doggett

Pat Smullen's weighing room friends pay emotional tribute on first anniversary of his passing

Pat Smullen's weighing room friends have paid an emotional tribute to him on the first anniversary of his passing.

The Offaly man's fellow riders gathered with the Newbridge Gospel Choir to record their version of Ben E. King's classic 'Stand By Me'.

Featuring impressive solo parts from jockeys Declan McDonogh and Donagh O’Connor, many of Smullen's closest friends gathered to remember the legendary rider, wearing some of the silks he made famous over the years.

Smullen died after a battle with pancreatic cancer, with the former champion jockey raising money for cancer research right up until his death.

And on September 25 a charity cycle will take place from Laytown Beach to the Curragh Racecourse to raise money for Cancer Trials Ireland in memory of Smullen.

The Coast to Curragh charity cycle will take in seven racecourses and two stud farms for a 155km total.

Cyclists can join at any of the racecourses or stud farms and choose to cycle a variety of distances from 12km/25km/30km/55km/80km/110km or the entire 155km.

Members of Pat Smullen’s family along with Ruby Walsh, Johnny Murtagh, Paul Carberry, Joseph O'Brien, Fran Berry, Charlie Swan, Barry Geraghty, Paul Townend, Patrick Mullins and racing pundits Kevin Blake and Gary O'Brien are some of the racing stars who are supporting the cycle.

To take part in the cycle, just register on the events page on the Cycling Ireland website. You can donate on the Coast to Curragh GoFundMe page, or you can email coasttocurragh@gmail.com for a sponsorship card. Sponsorship cards are also available in all Paddy Power shops.

Follow updates below or sign up to our sports newsletter here for the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.