AIDAN O’BRIEN has snapped up a legendary late jockey’s son – who’s ‘the double of his dad’ – for a big ride.
Every jockey dreams of riding for the iconic Ballydoyle boss.
And, on Tuesday, Paddy Smullen gets the chance to do just that in some very famous silks.
Paddy, whose sole career victory came aboard Dermot Weld’s Grappa Nonino at Dundalk in March, is the son of the late, great Pat Smullen.
The nine-time Irish Champion Jockey died aged 43 in September 2020 having lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Smullen Snr – who won the 2016 Derby on Harzand and 2003 2,000 Guineas on Refuse To Bend – was famed for his ‘enduring partnership’ with Weld.
So it was fitting that his hugely promising jockey son’s first winner would come on one of Weld’s horses.
He will be aiming to chalk one up for O’Brien on Tuesday, though, as he gets the leg up on Mont St Michel.
The 10-11 favourite for a 1m6f race at Killarney runs in the iconic Kyprios black and white silks of Moyglare Stud.
The four-year-old colt was close up behind the now-retired Kyprios on his last run and is co-owned by the Coolmore juggernaut of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
Paddy, 17, spoke so well after his breakthrough win – and explained how much it meant to him to follow in his old’s man footsteps.
He said: “I wasn’t thinking about winning but just getting as good a position as I can.
“I came out in front and was delighted. It doesn’t feel real at all. It all went way too fast, it’s amazing.
“There’s lots of sentimental value as well. It’s brilliant to follow in his footsteps.
“Dermot and the whole family have been amazing to me. I’m happy to repay them for what they’ve done for me.”;
One punter commented afterwards: “Got shivers when I saw DK Weld and P Smullen on the card... absolutely brilliant, best of luck in the future.”;
While another wrote: “Best of luck Paddy, your father would be so proud of you.”;
And it’s clear O’Brien clearly sees some of that talent too, jocking him up on a potential stayer of the future.
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