Jessica Harrington to take part in Q&A on Pat Smullen Race Day

Jessica Harrington will take part in an exclusive meet and greet at the Curragh on Saturday (August 31) as part of Pat Smullen Race Day.

The legendary trainer, who has saddled a wide range of top class winners over jumps and on the flat, has opened her doors for open mornings in the past and will this time be giving fans her unique insight as part of a panel answering questions from punters.

And Harrington explained just why such events are the perfect way to find out more about how a training yard really works.

She said: "We had an open morning last year, we found a lot of people turned up.

“We showed them lots of rooms and the different things that happened in racing yard.

“People just haven't really seen that, they have just seen them on the racecourse, they don't realise all the things that go on behind the scenes."

Fans and those interested in horse ownership can sign up for this event, which will take place between 12-2pm at the Curragh Racecourse, with the day’s racing being run in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, raising funds for the Pat Smullen Chair.

And Harrington believes it is the perfect way for anyone with even a passing interest to get a greater insight into what training and working at a yard is really like.

She added: "Those that sign up can come and meet me. It's in one of the rooms here, they can have a chat, meet me and ask any questions.

"They can ask any questions, it's just nice for people to have a chat with a trainer. They don't usually get the chance to talk to a trainer unless they have an interest in a horse.

"It's not all the glamour and glory of going to the races, there is an awful lot of hard work, not only for the trainer but by all the rest of the staff we have at home.”

Harrington has three potential runners across the afternoon.

Villanova Queen, who provided Colin Keane with his first Royal Ascot victory last year, and Curvature are entered in the G3 Curragh Snow Fairy Fillies’ Stakes at 3.35pm.

Norwalk Havoc, beaten by a neck in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap at the Galway Festival, is set to return to action in the Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Irish Cambridgeshire.

Harrington also has plenty of Group 1 interest in the coming weeks, with Phoenix Sprint Stakes winner Givemethebeatboys currently entered in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 7.

Irish Champions Festival, over the following weekend, should also see strong representation from the Harrington yard, with Yashin and Birdman currently in the running for the Irish St Leger.