Latest news with #PatSmullen
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wicklow man to honour late grandmother by riding in Cancer Trials Ireland fundraiser
Cian Fenelon will be taking part in the Pat Smullen Charity Race at the Curragh on August 30, which will raise funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. In 2023, Cian was selected to ride in the charity race at the Punchestown Festival, and managed to raise €1,830 for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, having set himself a fundraising target of €1,500. Now, all his focus is on the upcoming charity race. He said: 'Cancer is a battle that many of us know all too well. It has personally touched my life through the struggles of my family and friends. Losing my grandmother Lylah Gaskin to cancer in 2020, and witnessing loved ones battle as opened my eyes to how devastating this disease is. 'That's why I've decided to participate in the Pat Smullen charity race, an event dedicated to supporting Cancer Trials Ireland. Cancer Trials Ireland plays a crucial role in pioneering new cancer treatments and trials that offer hope to countless individuals and families facing this disease. The race is held in memory of the late Pat Smullen, a brilliant jockey and pioneer for cancer research.' With more than 24,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year in Ireland, Cancer Trials Ireland is dedicated to finding new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. It currently has more than 110 trials open and is recruiting new patients and has succeeded in offering research options to over 9000 patients across Ireland in the last fifteen years. As part of his efforts, Cian has established an idonate page and has set himself a fundraising target of €3,000. Cian added: 'Taking part in this race is a true honour, and I am grateful to Pat Smullen's daughter Hannah, and the entire Smullen family for organising such a meaningful day. "By donating to this cause, you are supporting Cancer Trials Ireland's critical mission of advancing research and trials that have the potential to save lives. Your generosity will directly contribute to innovative cancer care, offering new possibilities to those who need it most. 'Every euro donated not only honours Pat Smullen's memory but also moves us closer to a world where cancer is no longer a threat.'
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
I was a Grand National jockey shown ‘lifeless' at Aintree after horrific fall – now I'm making a comeback for my kids
A FORMER Grand National jockey shown 'lifeless' on the Aintree turf to millions after a devastating fall is ignoring doctors and making a shock return to the saddle. Davy Condon, who looked destined to be racing's next big thing after being snapped up by Willie Mullins upon leaving school, was paralysed in the horrendous 2015 spill. 3 3 3 The Irish rider, who TV images showed face-down in the mud as on-course medics rushed to his side, was left with 'spinal concussion' and forced to retire aged 30. Condon was one of the top riders at the time, a teenage sensation-turned-Cheltenham Festival winner and Group 1 champion. But his world came crashing down that Saturday afternoon ten years ago when he was launched from Portrait King at the third-last fence in a Grand National won by Many Clouds. "I was lying on the ground. I couldn't move," he recalled. He spent two nights in hospital as a result with doctors ultimately telling him it was too dangerous to ride again. Condon officially called it quits later that month and admitted to 'feeling lost' in the days afterwards. But a decade later he has decided to risk it all again and race at the Curragh in Ireland later this year. Condon will don his silks, lace up his boots and grab his whip for the Pat Smullen Charity Race on August 30. The contest raises funds for Cancer Trials Ireland and is run in honour of nine-time champion Irish jockey Pat Smullen, who died from pancreatic cancer in September 2020. Condon, dad to two young boys aged four and six, said he was moved to race again partly because of them. He told the Racing Post they never saw him in the saddle - and now can't wait to see why dad used to be such a big deal. Condon, who worked as an assistant for Gordon Elliott before going to break in horses for Shadwell in Dubai only to return as assistant to Cheltenham Festival-winning trianer Cian Collins, said: "I wanted to ride in a charity race as a kind of mid-life crisis thing! "I have two young boys who are four and six and they never saw me riding. "They see the photos and are always asking me questions. "I told my cousin Paul Townend I wanted to do a charity race and he pointed me in the direction of this one at the Curragh. "I was emotional telling the children I was going to be in the race. "They were jumping around the place, all excited." Condon won millions in the saddle, having been signed by Mullins at an early age. He was a Grade 1 winner under the all-conquering Closutton boss, landing the 2007 Supreme on 40-1 outsider Ebaziyan. Condon and Mullins also had success with the likes of serial winner Homer Wells, Holy Orders, Our Ben and Jayo. But it was with Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott he would enjoy later victories, his final Grade 1 being the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle aboard Morning Assembly at Punchestown in April 2013. Donate to his GoFundMe page here. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
