Smullen announced as Longines Irish Champions Weekend ambassador Horse Racing Ireland and the Longines Irish Champions Weekend Committee are delighted to announce that Pat Smullen will be the racing ambassador for this year’s Longines Irish Champions Weekend. In his new role, Smullen, the nine-time champion jockey, will be involved in the promotion of the sixth renewal of one of the world’s leading racing festivals to be held at Leopardstown Racecourse and the Curragh Racecourse on the weekend of September 14 and 15. For the first time, Longines Irish Champions Weekend will include a number of fundraising activities and events with all proceeds going towards the fight against pancreatic cancer. Pat Smullen said: “I was made acutely aware of the great work that is being done in the area of pancreatic cancer research and my objective is to return to my carers three things: awareness, funds and gratitude. Being involved with the greatest show in town is exciting for me and I appreciate the support of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend committee, Leopardstown and the Curragh in my efforts.” Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Pat Smullen is the perfect fit for Longines Irish Champions Weekend being a nine-time champion jockey in Ireland. There is no doubting that he was one of the great jockeys and the way he has faced up to his recent challenges marks him out as a true champion. We are very excited that Pat has come on board as the Longines Irish Champions Weekend ambassador and we will all be working hard to make the weekend a success and fulfil Pat’s fundraising ambitions for pancreatic cancer research.” - - - - Longines Irish Champions Weekend is recognised as one of the leading international racing festivals. Now in its sixth year, this special event will feature record prize money of over €5 million in 2019. Run over two days at two of Ireland’s leading racecourses, Leopardstown and the newly redeveloped Curragh, the sixth renewal boasts a strong programme of races, including six Group 1 races and the final Classic of the Irish Flat season. With the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes and the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes leading the way at Leopardstown and the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes and two of the best juvenile races of the year, the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, Longines Irish Champions Weekend will again attract many of the world’s best racehorses, owners, trainers and jockeys. Tickets for Longines Irish Champions Weekend are available at http://www.irishchampionsweekend.ie/ and from Leopardstown and the Curragh racecourses.
