The Board of the Curragh Racecourse introduced the Pat Smullen Jockeys Room on Irish 2000 Guineas Day on Saturday.
The unveiling of the Pat Smullen Jockeys Room mosaic mural tribute, which was designed by Pat’s wife Frances and her artist sister Monika Crowley who worked with Richie Buttle from ProPhoto in Co Wexford to develop the artwork, coincided with the late rider’s birthday.
Left to right – Mary, Frances, Sarah, Hannah and Paddy Smullen at the striking mosaic mural
The mosaic mural is made up of over 400 photos of Pat which were donated from many of his friends and colleagues.
Pat was a true legend, and his achievements speak for themselves. He was champion jockey on no fewer than nine occasions and rode almost 2,000 winners worldwide. He was stable jockey to Dermot Weld for 20 years and the Curragh was his second home.
Even after all his success at the Curragh as a jockey, it was out of the saddle that he had perhaps his finest day here when he was the driving force behind the Pat Smullen Champions Race For Cancer Trials Ireland on Longines Irish Champions Weekend 2019, which raised E2.5 million for Cancer Trials Ireland for their work into pancreatic cancer trials and research.
That is a day that will never be forgotten by those lucky enough to be there.
There will be a formal opening of the jockeys room when the Curragh welcome back racegoers.
Padraig McManus, Chairman of the Curragh Racecourse, said: “It is very important that there should be a lasting memory of Pat in the Curragh so that we and future generations can be reminded of his wonderful achievements.”
