A Rare Talent

[Wandering Eyes]

Pat Smullen’s decision to retire from race riding may not have come as a surprise but it has come as a blow.

Many fans of the multiple champion jockey will share mixed emotions at the news: on the one hand, utter relief that his recovery from serious illness continues positively and on the other, disappointment that we have been robbed of seeing a man of his unquestionable ability competing on racecourses around the world.

Try to look up a photograph of Smullen and you will most likely find him adorned in the colours of some of the world’s leading owner-breeders: Moyglare Stud, Juddmonte, HH The Aga Khan, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Yes, these are all patrons of Dermot Weld’s Rosewell House–the place that must have felt like a second home to Smullen for two decades–but the fact that he remained in one of Irish racing’s most coveted positions for so long says as much for his loyalty and dependability as it does about his skill in the saddle.

A no-nonsense jockey who was doubtless as feared by his colleagues on the track as he was revered off it, Smullen’s inscrutability in his race-riding days has turned to refreshing candour since he was forced to stand down from doing that which he loved best just over a year ago.

Plenty of us, faced with such grim news, would wish to turn away from prying questions. Probably he did too on many occasions, but his and his wife Frances’s desire to ensure that their children were protected from idle gossip and speculation by arming interested parties with detail and fact has been just one admirable aspect of Smullen’s strategy of dealing with his illness. His frankness in adversity will have been inspirational to many in similar situations.

He has spoken of how his supreme fitness as a jockey helped in what we so commonly refer to in these situations as the ‘battle’. It will of course have helped but a jockey’s job is far from being solely about strength and fitness. It’s about having the mental robustness to hold one’s nerve in the heat of a race; to deprive oneself of sustenance; to be able to cope with the pressure of satisfying the expectations of owners and trainers, and, in these increasingly angry times, being able to rise above the bile of the keyboard warriors on social media. That’s a battle of a different kind, but the mental strength required in this regard will also have gone a long way in helping him in his days as a patient to continue to put one foot in front of the other.

Smullen has ridden plenty of tough, top-class horses over the years: Vinnie Roe and Famous Name spring to mind for their extraordinary longevity as much as any other attribute, but if his recent personal triumph over adversity could be summed up by the name of any of his former equine partners it is Refuse To Bend.

As he expressed so well himself in his accompanying column, his health and his family must come first. When given the superb opportunity to become Dermot Weld’s stable jockey all those years ago, he seized the opportunity with both hands. Now, the wheel of fortune has swung back in his favour and this second chance is for something so much more precious: life.

We are privileged to have welcomed Pat Smullen as a columnist to the TDN earlier this season and his invaluable insight on a weekly basis will continue to be a key element of our editorial coverage of the European racing scene. Along with so many people around the racing world, some of whom are included below, all of the members of the TDN team extend our best wishes for success in his next chapter.

Racing Figures Pay Tribute to Pat Smullen

“Pat, thank you for the decades of loyalty to Moyglare Stud; thank you for all your victories, your iron will, your unique talent and your friendship.” – Eva-Maria Bucher Haefner, owner, Moyglare Stud.

“Pat is a great pal, other than during his grumpy moments, an occasional partner in crime, the proudest husband and dad, and an irreplaceable source of information about the generations of Moyglare-bred runners he partnered in these last few decades. Irresistible Jewel and her daughter Princess Highway winning the Ribblesdale, a decade apart, in such similar style, were highlights. He excelled at Ascot, always a plan, game face on, and some memorable days the result with the aforementioned duo, In Time’s Eye, Forgotten Rules, Sapphire, and then his stunning ride on Free Eagle. However, my personal favourite will always be Dress To Thrill’s Matriarch at Hollywood Park. Just sublime.

And to TDN readers I’d like to say that Pat has amazing insight and a great brain, so read his words and think on them, as there is a vast amount of good sense and expert judgement behind them.” – Fiona Craig, breeding advisor for Moyglare Stud.

“Our association goes back to when Pat was riding for John Oxx. He’s an absolutely fantastic, world-class jockey. He always gave us great feedback on the horses, which we feed off. Information for us is key and we always got the best information from Pat. He’s had a tough time recently and I’m just delighted to see that he is hopefully out the other end of it now. I think he’s very comfortable in the advice that he’s been given and I wish him very well.” – Pat Downes, manager of HH The Aga Khan’s Irish Studs.

“The easiest way to describe Pat is world class; as a jockey and more importantly as a man. He has a great affinity with horses but also an understanding that racing is essentially about the people involved in it. Covert Love winning and Irish Oaks and Prix de l’Opera, along with an Ayr Gold cup for my mother, are among my personal memories. So many people will have their own special memories of an amazing career. The determination and willpower he has shown in the last year are a testament his character. My best wishes go to Pat, Frances and their family for the future.” – Mark McStay, co-owner/breeder of Covert Love

“Pat’s first ride for me was on Short Squeeze in a big handicap at York and it was absolutely masterful: he just put him on the line in the last stride. Then he started to ride Covert Love and Gifted Master and whenever it was possible he became my go-to jockey and we had some fantastic success together. The Irish Oaks was a highlight but perhaps even more so the Prix de l’Opera. I think it was one of the best rides any horse has ever been given.” – Hugo Palmer, trainer

“Happy Retirement to @patjsmullen, one of my greatest rivals in the saddle. He turned up everyday with his A game. He still has a lot to offer our industry. A great family man and a true inspiration to show the power of a positive attitude.”

– Johnny Murtagh on Twitter

“Courage, grace, all class, Pat Smullen is a true hero and role model. Sad for him that he’s had to retire, but he leaves a lot of people with very happy memories of his time in the saddle and I wish him a long and happy retirement, but an active one in the sport.” – Lisa-Jane Graffard on Twitter

“Congrats on an amazing career @patjsmullen. Multiple champion jockey… but you’ve proved more than ever in the last year what a champion you really are.” – AP McCoy on Twitter

“Unbelievable sportsman, an even better human. Privileged to have ridden with one of the greats but proud to say he’s a true friend.” – Chris Hayes on Twitter

“It’s a bittersweet day to hear my friend @patjsmullen has announced his retirement. I remember the days he started with my father, Tom, a young lad whose talent would only be surpassed by his determination and focus. He is an example to us all, not just young riders.” – Tony Lacy on Twitter

“I was very lucky to have ridden against and learnt from one of the best in the weigh-room. A man you could always ask for advice and would gladly give you it. Happy retirement @patjsmullen.” Gary Halpin on Twitter

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