Ten legends of the saddle, who together have some 75 championship titles between them, have been gathered by Pat Smullen for his Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland at the Curragh on day two of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend. The race will run on Sunday, September 15th.

Ruby Walsh, AP McCoy, Kieren Fallon, Johnny Murtagh, Richard Hughes, Charlie Swan, Joseph O’Brien, Ted Durcan and Paul Carberry will join Smullen for the mile race which will be run after the Group 1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger, one of the feature races at the Curragh that day.

“To have Ruby and AP riding against each other one more time will be exciting, and when you see Charlie and Paul there too, we really have what many consider four of the greatest jumps riders of all time.” said Smullen.

“Over a mile though the flat lads will fancy their chances, and we have signed up five brilliant flat champions. Kieren Fallon is a hugely popular figure with racegoers here, Johnny [Murtagh], Richard [Hughes], Joseph [O’Brien] and Ted [Durcan] were world-class jockeys with whom I was lucky to share the weigh-room.

“These fellas are heroes to so many people, and I have to say I am humbled by the way they have without any hesitation thrown themselves into this project and are supporting this race.

“All of us want to make this a competitive race worth watching and so we will be sourcing horses over the next few weeks. Already we’ve had trainers and owners offering their support and that will be very important because, as well as this being about creating an exciting event over Longines Irish Champions Weekend, my priority is also about raising money for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading Irish cancer research trials organisation.”

All monies raised by the race and other fundraising activities over Longines Irish Champions weekend will be donated to Cancer Trials Ireland for their work into pancreatic cancer trials and research. Members of the public can donate from now on cancertrials.ie.

The 10 champion jockeys taking part in the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland, are: