Pat Smullen, a brilliant horseman and unassuming gentleman, dies aged 43

The nine-time flat racing Irish Champion Jockey was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March of 2018.

Jockey Pat Smullen passed away aged 43. Here he is pictured after the John Guest Handicap in 2015. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire

Pat Smullen, the nine-time champion Flat jockey in Ireland, passed away at the age of 43, following a long illness. The Offaly native, first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2018, gave everything in his bid to overcome the illness but, after tackling it with all the positivity and professionalism he brought to his racing career, he lost the battle on Tuesday evening in St Vincent’s Hospital.

A brilliant horsemen and unassuming gentleman, he graced every track in Ireland and distinguished himself with performances of quality which matched his class out of the saddle.