O’Brien hoping Daytona can score in Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes
July 3, 2025 | Niamh Byrne
Naas Racecourse and the Irish EBF will combine to stage the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes this Saturday.
Earlier this year, the Irish EBF announced the creation of the Smullen Series which consists of 18 middle distance races for two and three year old’s including Saturday’s feature race named in memory of the much missed champion jockey.
A field of eight runners will line up in Saturday’s Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes including four previous winners.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Daytona made an impressive debut at Gowran Park when winning last month and the champion trainer was keen to target the race which is named in honour of his brother-in-law.
“Daytona is a good horse. He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack (Cleary) rode him. Wayne (Lordan) rides him in Naas. We think he’s a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him,” O’Brien said.
“Obviously, it’s in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we’re delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he’s a classy horse.”
Joseph O’Brien will saddle two previous winners with Dylan Browne McMonagle riding Down Royal winner North Coast while Declan McDonogh partners stable companion Green Soul.
Trainer Adrian Murray is also doubly represented as Chris Hayes maintains his partnership with Roscommon winner Leblon Queen and Seamie Heffernan is booked to ride Murray’s other runner, Flanker Jet.
Three runners will make their racecourse debut in the €45,000 contest. Johnny Murtagh’s newcomer Blue Blue Moon will make her debut in the Moyglare Stud colours, while the Jessica Harrington-trained Wyman and the Ger Lyons-trained Genchev complete the field.
Joe Foley, Irish EBF Chairman, added: “The new Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes is the launch pad for the Smullen Series and an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of an Irish racing hero, Pat Smullen. The Smullen Series showcases the Irish EBF’s commitment to middle-distance horses where two-year-old’s now have a range of races from July to the end of the season each worth €25,000 over a mile and a mile-plus.
“For the following season they can link into the existing Spring Series of middle-distance races creating a pathway to the €200,000 Gowran Classic as a three-year-old. The objective of the series is to provide breeders, owners and trainers of middle-distance horses with valuable races for two and three-year-old’s while promoting the breeding and racing of stamina horses. We are delighted to have Frances and her family to the races on Saturday to present the new Pat Smullen perpetual trophy.”
Saturday’s seven race card also features the Irish EBF Median Sires Stakes in which Nicola Burns will ride the Ger Lyons-trained Down Royal winner Sir Alfie.
Curragh maiden winner Fingerpaint will have her second start in the concluding TRM Calphormin Rated Race which looks an intriguing contest with the Aidan O’Brien-trained First Wave and the Ger Lyons-trained Storm Piece also included.
Hospitality packages for Naas on Saturday are all sold out but Beer & Burger packages are still available. Live music after racing will be with No Limits and the All Ireland Hurling Semi Final between Cork and Dublin will be on screens throughout the racecourse.
The Treo Eile ‘Meet The Racehorse’ returns with racegoers getting the opportunity to meet Slaney Hurdle winner Briar Hill and learn about his life after racing.