Today's Curragh meeting was a special occasion.
The card was superb from start to finish, including a monster performance from Pinatubo, but it seemed that most people were there to show their support for Pat Smullen.
Every branch of racing has been supporting his fundraising effort on behalf of Cancer Trials Ireland. To give a few examples, Ger Lyons's facebook page raised around 20k, the jockeys riding this weekend donated their riding fees, and another 30k was raised by allowing owners have their colours printed in both Irish Champions Weekend race cards. In total at least €1.3m has been raised.
The jockeys for the Pat Smullen Champions Race For Cancer Trials Ireland race were cheered into the parade ring, encouraged by parade ring watchers and applauded from the stands on their way to the start. It really was a pleasure to see the likes of Paul Carberry and Kieren Fallon back on a racecourse. After the race the jockeys and their horses paraded down the course to more cheers and applause.
Tony McCoy looked more thrilled by this win than almost any other, he certainly cracked more smiles and came over to the stands rail to tell the crowd he'd just beaten a bunch of has beens. He then attempted a Frankie dismount in the winners enclosure. Sheila Lavery and her husband, trainer and owner of the winner, were equally thrilled to have landed the race and its princely first prize of €59.
Pat Smullen, you brought a crowd to the new Curragh today who wanted to salute and support you. You have raised a colossal sum of money for a good cause and given the new Curragh its first coating of soul.