Back writing after taking a few days off after Cheltenham. A whirlwind trip, complete with every speck of drama that racing can provide. From Sherminator to State Man. Golden Ace to Galopin Des Champs. From Epsom to Sandown. Taunton to Cheltenham.
Somewhere along the line of that week, there was a beautiful story in Ireland. Paddy Smullen, son of the late great Pat Smullen, won his first career race at the same track where his father won his first race and his final race. A nine-time champion jockey and an icon of Irish racing, Pat Smullen died from pancreatic cancer at age 43.
Paddy Smullen rallied Grappa Nonino, a 20-1 longshot owned by Gregg Ryan (yes, that Gregg Ryan), to win the 2-mile handicap at Dundalk.
Watch Paddy Smullen win his first race and listen to his words afterward.
Beautiful stuff. I remember riding a maiden claimer at Foxfield in 1991. Gregg rode Truly Nolen for his dad and I rode Abacus for my dad. We hooked up and opened a big lead on the rest of the field. My horse was green, coming off a fall and didn’t need pressure. I muttered a word or two to Gregg and he said, “Look Sean, you’re riding for your dad and I’m riding for my dad, let’s just wait until we land over the last…”
We did, meeting the last on even strides, landing and then asking. Truly Nolen kicked away and Abacus finished a good, build-upon second. Sons were safe. Dads were happy.
Abacus won his next start.
