Tributes pour in for deceased Smullen
Irish President, racing fraternity join in mourning the loss of the decorated jockey
Irish President Michael D Higgins led the tributes to 2016 Epsom Derby-winning jockey Pat Smullen, who died of pancreatic cancer late on Tuesday aged just 43. Higgins expressed his “deep sadness” and said Smullen’s “remarkable performances at home and abroad brought joy to so many”.
His death was announced exactly a year after a legends race he organised, won by record breaking jumps jockey AP McCoy, helped raise more than €2.5 million (Dh10.88 million) for pancreatic cancer trials and research. The esteem that Smullen was held in was reflected by McCoy going back on his promise never to ride again after he retired from the saddle.
Smullen — who leaves behind his wife, Frances, and three children — had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2018.
Smullen experienced most of his greatest moments riding for Dermot Weld with the most memorable winning the Epsom
Derby on Harzand in 2016 — they were to add the Irish version a few weeks later.
“Pat Smullen was one of Irish racing’s brightest stars, a nine-time champion, but his achievements in the saddle pale in comparison to his qualities out of it,” said Brian Kavanagh of Horse Racing Ireland.
British racing authorities also paid him a handsome tribute. “He will forever be remembered as one of the greats — not only at home in Ireland, but here in Britain and across the racing world,” the British Horse Racing Authority said in a statement.