Cheltenham-winning silks up for auction in support of Coast To Curragh bike ride

The Coast To Curragh charity cycle ride, which raised more than €185,000 last year, has received a major boost this year with the connections of Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard donating their Cheltenham-winning silks, signed by Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, for its fundraising auction.

The bike ride, which will have its second outing on Saturday, August 27, has gained further backing from the Curragh racecourse, which has renamed its fixture that day as the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Raceday.

The event, organised by Gavin Lynch, proved a huge success in its first year, raising vital funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, and looks set to become an annual fixture.

Lynch said the donation of the Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard silks was an "amazing" gesture.

"For Rachael to win her second Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle and then go out and win the Gold Cup by 15 lengths, that was amazing. Then to donate the silks signed to us, for something that could mean so much to her, it's so genuine. They're a once-in-a-lifetime item," he said.

"We could have people interested from all over the place. I know for a fact there are people from England and even South Africa already interested. The silks could make any money. I can't put a figure on it."

Another auction lot is the racecard used by commentator Dessie Scahill for his last race, while Naas racecourse has donated the sponsorship of the Grade 3 Poplar Chase. The auction will be held after racing at the Curragh on August 27.

The majority of the funds raised go to research into pancreatic cancer, which claimed the life of legendary jockey Pat Smullen as well as that of Lynch’s mother, Olive.

Lynch said: "Last year was very emotional. Please God we get the same support again and raise as much money as we did last year and hopefully even more."

Curragh chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "It was a great success last year. There's a positive relationship between the horseracing community and Cancer Trials Ireland, and we want to build on that.

"There's enormous respect for Pat's name and Pat's legacy, particularly at the Curragh, and it's going to be a very exciting development."

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