Aidan O'Brien snaps up legendary late jockey's son who's the ‘double of his dad' for big ride
Every jockey dreams of riding for the iconic Ballydoyle boss.
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And, on Tuesday, Paddy Smullen gets the chance to do just that in some very famous silks.
Paddy, whose sole career victory came aboard Dermot Weld's Grappa Nonino at Dundalk in March, is the son of the late, great Pat Smullen.
The nine-time Irish Champion Jockey died aged 43 in September 2020 having lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Smullen Snr - who won the 2016 Derby on Harzand and 2003 2,000 Guineas on Refuse To Bend - was famed for his 'enduring partnership' with Weld.
So it was fitting that his hugely promising jockey son's first winner would come on one of Weld's horses.
He will be aiming to chalk one up for O'Brien on Tuesday, though, as he gets the leg up on Mont St Michel.
The 10-11 favourite for a 1m6f race at Killarney runs in the iconic Kyprios black and white silks of Moyglare Stud.
Smullen Snr wore the same when he rode Refuse To Bend to victory in the 2003 2,000 Guineas.
Mont St Michel, a four-year-old colt, was close up behind the now-retired Kyprios on his last run and is co-owned by the Coolmore juggernaut of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
Paddy, 17, spoke so well after his breakthrough win - and explained how much it meant to him to follow in his old's man footsteps.
He said: "I wasn't thinking about winning but just getting as good a position as I can.
"I came out in front and was delighted. It doesn't feel real at all. It all went way too fast, it's amazing.
"There's lots of sentimental value as well. It's brilliant to follow in his footsteps.
"Dermot and the whole family have been amazing to me. I'm happy to repay them for what they've done for me."
One punter commented afterwards: "Got shivers when I saw DK Weld and P Smullen on the card… absolutely brilliant, best of luck in the future."
While another wrote: "Best of luck Paddy, your father would be so proud of you."
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The American has had an eventful week so far; his first-round 78 was his worst ever at the Open, but his second-round 65 was his best ever. Funny old game isn't it? Anyway, he scraped through to the weekend just above the cut line and who knows how he will go today? If his tee shot at the 1st is anything to go by, it's not going to be very good; he sprays it way left and out of bounds. Brian Harman scored a fantastic second-round 65 yesterday and held the clubhouse lead for much of the afternoon on eight under until Matt Fitzpatrick finished. The American seems to play some of his best golf on links courses and won the Open at Royal Liverpool in 2023 by six strokes. Fun fact for you, he is one of three left-handed winners of the Open. The others? Bob Charles and Phil Mickelson. Anyway, the 38-year-old is looking to join an elite group of Americans to win two Opens in a three-year span (or less). 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You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. 9.35 Matthias Schmid (Ger), Corey Conners (Can) 9.45 Sepp Straka (Aut), Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn) 9.55 Takumi Kanaya (Jpn), Adrien Saddier (Fra) 10.05 Henrik Stenson (Swe), Sebastian Soderberg (Swe) 10.15 Thomas Detry (Bel), Jacob Skov Olesen (Den) 10.25 Bryson DeChambeau, Nathan Kimsey (Eng) 10.35 Maverick McNealy, Thriston Lawrence (RSA) 10.45 Justin Leonard, John Parry (Eng) 11.00 Andrew Novak, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 11.10 Jesper Svensson (Swe), Francesco Molinari (Ita) 11.20 Riki Kawamoto (Jpn), Wyndham Clark 11.30 Shane Lowry (Ire), Jon Rahm (Spa) 11.40 J.J. 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What a day it was yesterday, as Scottie Scheffler charged through the field to lead after his superb round of 64, and what a round for the Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick too who will start one shot off the lead today. They are paired up together and set to tee off this afternoon, but in the meantime we will have our eyes on the chasing pack to see if anyone can catch the world No1. Rick Broadbent, Stuart Fraser and Tom Kershaw are in place to bring us updates from the Causeway Coast, so sit back and enjoy!
