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Legendary Irish rider Pat Smullen dies at 43 in Dublin after losing battle with pancreatic cancer
- Smullen retired in May 2019 after completing treatment for pancreatic cancer
- Smullen initially received a clean health certificate, but recently relapsed.
- His death was announced a year after a legend race he organized raised £ 2.3 million.
The racing world was in mourning Tuesday night after the death of nine-time Irish champion Pat Smullen at the age of 43 was announced.
Smullen, who had been battling pancreatic cancer since March 2018, died at St Vincent Hospital in Dublin.
Smullen, a 12-time European Classic winner, enjoyed a long association with coach Dermot Weld and their victories together included the 2016 Derby at Harzand.
Legendary horseman Pat Smullen had been battling pancreatic cancer since March 2018
Smullen initially received a certificate of good health last year and supported the organization of a race of racing legends at Curragh, which raised more than € 2.5 million (£ 2.3 million) for a cancer charity.
However, he suffered a relapse in recent months and his condition deteriorated last week. He leaves behind his wife Frances and their three children Hannah, Paddy and Sarah.
Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh told PA news agency: “Pat was one of our biggest stars. He was a nine-time hockey champion, but in many ways his greatest achievements were off the saddle.
Since her diagnosis she did a wonderful job raising money for charity and fought this disease with a big heart and it is hard to believe she passed away at such a young age. All of our thoughts are with Frances and her three children, Hannah, Paddy, and Sarah, and all of her friends and colleagues in the weigh-in room.
Jockey Smullen won the 2016 Epsom Derby in Harzand, coached by Dermot Weld
“It is a really sad day for Irish racing. Pat was one of the best men you could hope to meet. There has been such a reaction to Irish racing and such a degree of shock, which shows the great respect in which Pat was held.
“ It was a pleasure to have something to do with him – his accomplishments in the saddle were one thing, his qualities outside of him were another.
“He was a global figure in racing, but his reaction to his diagnosis and the fundraising he did last year in particular was really wonderful.
‘It’s just a sad, sad day.’
