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Patrick McCann
“title =” Dermot Weld pays his respects as the procession that brings his old friend Pat Smullen to his hometown receives an honor guard at Curragh “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https: // www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/16/82661-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09 /16/82661-medium.jpeg “data-br-m =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/16/82661-large.jpeg “data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/16/82661-large.jpeg” data-br-xw = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/ news / 2020/09/16/82661-large.jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
UPDATED 8:11 PM, SEP 16 2020
We had a wonderful relationship for 19 years. He was an outstanding horseman of stables, the professional of the professional. His loyalty, integrity, and honesty were key factors in the man he was. I can assure you that we will miss him deeply.
As a jockey, he was very special. We know that he was a nine-time jockeys champion and raced world-wide winners for me, but he had the great ability to have virtually every horse he rode in the right place at the right time in any race.
There were so many incidents that could typify that, but Harzand’s victory in the Derby at Epsom stands out. Pat would probably say that this was his proudest moment. They were the perfect partnership.
Pat had Harzand in the perfect spot for a track like Epsom and he rode it to perfection. It was a special day for both of them, as it was when he won the Irish Derby at Curragh.
Watch Harzand win the 2016 Derby
He traveled the Ascot track as few could. It’s a place that lends itself to a running back like Pat Smullen, a jockey with brilliant judgment and great physical strength in the finish.
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
“title =” Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen: enjoyed a 19-year partnership together “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018 / 03/28/40148-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/03/28/40148-medium.jpeg “data-br- m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/03/28/40148-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com/ images /news/2018/03/28/40148-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/03/28/40148-large.jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
I have a hard time remembering Pat being beaten by a short head in close finishes of major races and I remember him winning by that margin in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Free Eagle.
Watch Free Eagle Wins 2015 Prince of Wales’s Stakes Award
His Rite Of Passage ride to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was spectacular, and the same applies when Fascinating Rock won the Champion Stakes and Bethrah’s 1,000 Irish Guineas for Sheikh Hamdan.
Watch Rite Of Passage win the 2010 Gold Cup
I know Vinnie Roe was her favorite horse, it would bring an instant smile to Pat’s face when she rode him. They won the Irish St Leger in four consecutive years and characterized each other.
They were an extremely tough partnership, as was the case with Pat and Famous Name as well. In Leopardstown they were unbeatable.
I know it was a very special occasion for him when he won his first Irish Derby at Gray Swallow in 2004. He gave that horse a great ride, beating the Derby 1-2-3 at Epsom, but he could go anywhere in the world. world and compete with the best.
Edward whitaker
“title =” Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen – one of the great Irish racing associations “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/ 2020/09 /16/82638-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/16/82638-medium.jpeg “data-br -m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/16/82638-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com / images / news / 2020/09/16/82638-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/16/82638-large. jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
I will never forget her walk in Dress To Thrill at the Matriarch Stakes in Hollywood Park. He was taking on some of the best fillies in America ridden by some of the best horsemen in the country, but Pat edged out those horsemen in the last stadium.
It all came down to his physical strength and his will to win.
In our first days together we won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket with Refuse To Bend, and that name is very appropriate.
When Pat received his diagnosis, he refused to budge. He fought hard and raised a lot of money for Cancer Trials Ireland. That work is a great tribute to the man he was.
I extend my condolences to Frances, Hannah, Paddy and Sarah during this difficult time.
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