'A little girl's dream has come true,' Tipperary jockey wins charity race for late mother

Tipperary jockey Olivia Marnane won the big race on the Jessica Harrington-trained Mo Ghille Mar at the Pat Smullen Charity Race Day at the end of August at the Curragh.  

Marnane, who won the Smullen Cancer Trials charity race, said: "That was pretty cool. It was amazing. The whole day has been unreal and the Smullen family are an absolute inspiration.

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"I want to say thanks to the Harrington family as well for giving me the horse and making a little girl's dream come true. This is in memory of my mam [Theresa] but it is to help people in the future. You can't keep looking back, you have to look forward."

Olivia sported the Marnane-family colours on the Bronsan Racing-owned filly.

Theresa Marnane of Bansha House, Bansha and formerly of New Inn passed away on December 2, 2023 peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a short illness, following incredible care by the staff at the Bons Secours, Hospital, Cork and The Irish Cancer Society.

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Beloved wife of Con and mother to Amy and Olivia and daughter of Breda and the late Larry Sweeney.

Tipperary country music star Louise Morrissey, who was the the charity race day also, posted: "A fantastic day at the Curragh racecourse for the Pat Smullen Race Day.

"Congratulations to Bansha girl Olivia Marnane on winning the race in memory of her mother Theresa Marnane, thank you to the Marnane family for a wonderful day.

"We all backed Olivia!"

The Pat Smullen Race Day, together with the Curragh-to-Curragh charity cycle, has now raised in excess of €1m for Cancer Trials Ireland.