Smullen focused on full recovery
NINE-TIME Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen has been diagnosed with a tumour and will be sidelined for the ‘forseeable future’. Smullen missed the opening day of the Irish Flat season at Naas on Sunday when in hospital for tests on what was thought to be gallstones. Smullen, 40, said: “I have been in hospital undergoing tests. A tumour was discovered and consequently I won’t be riding for the foreseeable future. I’m very positive about making a full recovery.”
Smullen has enjoyed a long and successful association as stable jockey to Dermot Weld, for whom he rode Harzand to a Derby double at Epsom and the Curragh in 2016.
Harzand raced for the Aga Khan and the famous green and red silks will be carried by Vazirabad when he bids to become the first horse to win for a third time on Dubai World Cup night this Saturday.
Ten runners have been declared for the World Cup worth almost £4.5m to the winner, including the 11-10 US-trained favourite West Coast.
Jessica Harrington, who saddles her first Meydan runner when Torcedor tackles defending champ Vazirabad in the Dubai Gold Cup, has confirmed that she wants her Stayers’ Hurdle second Supasundae to take on Buveur d’Air in the Aintree Hurdle. The dual Champion Hurdler’s next public appearance will be at the Lambourn Open Day tomorrow when Nicky Henderson’s yard will be the only stable opening its doors due to heavy recent rain.