Almost €100,000 raised ahead of Coast to Curragh cycle in memory of Pat Smullen

On the eve of the Coast to Curragh charity cycle in memory of Pat Smullen, the fundraising drive for Cancer Trials Ireland is edging towards the €100,000 mark with organiser Gavin Lynch overwhelmed by the generosity of the racing industry.

The 155km cycle will commence on the strand at Laytown at 7.30am on Saturday morning with a whole host of racing personalities set to take part and the latest update on the figures show that almost €95,000 has been raised.

Lynch, who stars on the Racing Post's popular Cheltenham Festival countdown show Upping The Ante, has been blown away by the way the racing industry has emptied its pockets to support the cause.

Lynch lost his mother Olive to pancreatic cancer and was inspired by Smullen, who raised much needed funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer trials over Longines Irish Champions Weekend in 2019 while fighting his own battle with the same illness.

Lynch said on Friday evening: "I genuinely can't believe how amazing the racing industry has been, their generosity has completely overwhelmed me. People cannot do enough and everyone wants to help in whatever way they can. It really is a brilliant industry.

"The main thing is that everybody enjoys themselves on Saturday and gets around safely. It should be a really enjoyable day and it's great to see the likes of Shane Foley, Tadhg O'Shea, Paul Carberry, Kevin Blake and many other familiar faces taking part. Those who are taking part will get to meet plenty of racing personalities along the way."

Pat Smullen: popular Irish jockey died of pancreatic cancer last yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Lynch added: "We have almost raised €95,000 and it would be great to have a drive to get that to six figures. That is a phenomenal amount of money to have raised and I cannot express enough thanks to everybody who has contributed. It's for the most worthy of causes which is very close to all of our hearts.

"Three people, in particular deserve a special mention. Nicholas Nugent, who met Pat in St Vincent’s Hospital where he himself recovered from cancer, Tadhg O'Shea and the auctioneer Damien Dillon. They have raised over €20,000 between them. That's an incredible feat."

Shane Foley, who guided No Speak Alexander to victory in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last Saturday week, is set to do the entire 155km as he is serving a suspension.

Pat Smullen's wife Frances said: "Pat was so focused and determined to raise as much awareness as possible about pancreatic cancer and raise money for Cancer Trials Ireland’s vital cancer research work, so I know he would be very proud and humbled that Gavin shares the same vision."

You can donate on the Coast to Curragh GoFundMe page, or you can email coasttocurragh@gmail.com for a sponsorship card. Sponsorship cards are also available in all Paddy Power shops.

The Coast to Curragh charity cycle stages are as follows:

7.30am: Laytown Races / Laytown Beach (155km approx. from here to the finish)
8.30am: Bellewstown Racecourse
10.00am: Navan Racecourse (110km to the finish)
11.30am: Fairyhouse Racecourse (80km to the finish)
12.45pm: Moyglare Stud (55km to the finish)
2.00pm: Naas Racecourse (30km to the finish)
2.15pm: Punchestown Racecourse (25km to the finish)
2.45pm: Gilltown Stud (Meet Harzand – 12km to the finish)
3.30pm: Curragh Racecourse

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