Kildare student seeks support to ride in charity race
Richard Brede
When Richard Brede of Kilcullen was brought by his mother, with his siblings, to take riding lessons four years ago, the then 14-year-old really didn't want to go. But the experience unexpectedly triggered a love of racehorses, and now he's raising funds to take part in the Pat Smullen Charity Race at the Curragh Racecourse at the end of August.
The race is in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, and Richard needs to raise sponsorship of €3,000 to participate.
Following those first lessons at the Pittsfield Equestrian Centre in Castledermot, he decided to take things a stretch further, and enrolled at the trainee jockey course at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare.
"I did it instead of doing my transition year course in Cross and Passion College (CPC), Kilcullen," he told the , adding that he completed that year with a six-month work experience in Willie McCreery's training yard.
In summer 2023 he began part-time working at Johnny Murtagh's yard, where he still rides out at weekends while continuing his studies at CPC — he begins sixth year at the end of August. He also goes occasionally to race meetings during the holidays, to lead up the horses.
"I have improved my experience and ability with riding out, and other tasks. This includes riding out difficult or challenging horses and riding fast work up the Old Vic and similar gallops."
During his RACE course, Richard thought he might take out a professional jockey licence, but pulled back from that during his work experience when he saw at first hand what was involved.
"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 on 31 August in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland is run in memory of nine-times Champion Jockey Pat Smullen. In May 2018, Mr Smullen announced his retirement from race riding on medical advice, having undergone chemotherapy and surgery for pancreatic cancer the previous year. He died in 2020 at the age of 43. He had ridden 1,845 winners in Ireland and 47 in Britain. The race is sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts.
Richard Brede has set up a GoFundMe page, %Pat Smullen Charity Race in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland% — for those who want to support his participation in the race.
