Richard seeks support to ride in cancer charity race

A young Kilcullen racehorse lover is raising funds to participate in the Pat Smullen Charity Race, writes Brian Byrne. The race is in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, and is being run at the Curragh Racecourse on 31 August. 

Richard Brede, 17, needs to raise €3,000 in order to take part, and he has set up a GoFundMe page here for those who would like to support him. His mother is Ilona, whose horticultural skills are a big help to KCA's work in making Kilcullen a bright and cheerful place.

Richard's interest in horses started in 2021 when he began taking riding lessons at the Pittsfield Equestrian Centre in Castledermot. From that, instead of doing his Transition Year at CPC, he enrolled in the Trainee Jockey course at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare, completing the year with a work placement at Willie McCreery's yard.

"I currently work at Johnny Murtagh's, where I started on July 3rd, 2023," Richard says. "I have improved my experience and ability with riding out, and other tasks. This includes riding out difficult or challenging horses, 2-year-olds, and riding fast work up the Old Vic and similar gallops. I have certainly improved significantly since first starting out with racehorses." Still at CPC, starting 6th Year at the end of August, he works at the yard on Saturday mornings, and during school holidays goes to race meetings from time to time to lead up the horses.

Though initially having thought of taking out his jockey license, Richard eased back on that while on work placement. "I wasn't as confident, experienced, or as strong as I am currently. Taking part in the Pat Smullen Charity Race will give me the opportunity to ride on the track, and at the same time support a very good cause in Cancer Trials Ireland."

Cancer Trials Ireland was established in 1996 to be a hub for cancer research trials, and is now the leading organisation of its kind in the country. More than 25,000 patients have participated in over 420 cancer trials since it was set up. 

The Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland is run in memory of 9-times Champion Jockey Pat Smullen. The race is sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy