‘Everyone in the weigh room wanted to be like Pat Smullen’ | Horse Racing News

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Patrick McCann

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Pat Smullen: died Tuesday night of pancreatic cancer

Pat Smullen: died Tuesday night of pancreatic cancer

Patrick McCann

UPDATED 5:50 PM, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

On Tuesday night, Pat Smullen died in the hospital of pancreatic cancer at the age of 43. After the news of his death, many of the leading figures in racing have paid tribute to the nine-time Irish champion rider and the 12-time winner of the European classic.

Smullen’s friend and former weigh-room colleague Johnny Murtagh was one of those who delivered the highest praise for his attitude on and off the field.

Murtagh, now the Group 1 winning coach, said: “This is very sad news and the racing world really lost one of the true legends of the game. You can see the esteem that people around the world held in their tributes. for him, he’s one of those special people.

“After our big win Saturday at Leopardstown, he texted me to say well done, it was a class act. Everyone in the weigh-in room wanted to be like Pat Smullen.

Patrick McCann

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Pat Smullen - Fondly remembered by former weigh-room mates and everyone in the industry

Pat Smullen – Fondly remembered by former weigh-room mates and everyone in the industry

Patrick McCann

“We knew what he was like in racing, but through his fundraising efforts of late, I think the general public was able to see the man he was. Determined, mentally and physically strong.

“You couldn’t intimidate him on the track. He had a strong will to win, and that was every day. It wasn’t just a Saturday, he was in his ‘A’ game every day. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Trainer John Oxx, of whom Smullen was the second rider in the late 1990s, said: “He was one of the best riders in Europe, but what set him apart from other people was that he was a decent human being.

“He was a very simple and honorable person to deal with, an example and inspiration to other riders, especially the young ones. He was always very diligent and hard-working from the early days.

“He was the second rider for me behind Johnny Murtagh in 1997 and 1998, everyone could see then that he would be a champion rider of the future.

“It’s a shame that, having worked so hard and climbed the ladder to the point where he was one of the most sought-after jockeys in Europe, he was brought down like this, when his career would have been at its peak.”

Hannah Smullen, daughter of the world-renowned jockey, paid a moving tribute on social media.

Cancer Trials Ireland remembered a great friend and benefactor of the leading research organization.


British champion jockey Oisin Murphy expressed the positive impact Smullen had on Irish racing and sport in general.

Neil Callan, Jessica Harrington, and Kevin Blake highlighted the kind of act Smullen was in and out of the chair.

The President of Ireland expressed his condolences to the Smullen family.

Gordon Elliott paid tribute to Smullen’s talent and personality.

Former English footballer Michael Owen expressed his condolences, as did coach Peter Chapple-Hyam and jockey Andrea Atzeni.

FIRST POST 9:16 AM, SEP 16 2020



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