Friends reunite in memory of Barney Curley

Frankie Dettori will ride for his former weighroom colleague Johnny Murtagh in the Gannons City Recovery And Recycling Services Ltd Supporting DAFA Handicap at Bellewstown on Thursday.

The legendary jockey is among 14 riders taking part in a special race in memory of Barney Curley who was so closely associated with the Co Meath track. All monies raised will be donated to Barney Curley’s charity, Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA), which he set up in 1996 to support the underprivileged people of Zambia.

Dettori, Jamie Spencer and Shane Kelly, all great friends of the late Barney Curley, have secured rides in the race, with Dettori partnering Murtagh’s Trueba, Spencer linking up with trainer Des Donovan to ride Tipperary Moon with Kelly on the Ado McGuinness-trained Alhaajeb. Jockey Tom Queally is also travelling from England to support the race-day.

Trainer, Johnny Murtagh, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the race and to have Frankie riding for me in Barney’s honour is a real thrill. Frankie is one of my best mates, he’s had a few rides, but he hasn’t ridden a winner for me yet!

“I went out to Zambia with Barney many years ago and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. I’ve seen at first hand the work the charity does, and it makes such a difference to the lives of so many people. Barney was a great man, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed his company, the wonderful stories he told will live long in my memory.”

A full field of 14 runners and three reserves have been declared for the race with champion jockey Colin Keane taking the ride on the Stormy Jenn for Balbriggan-based Peter Cluskey with apprentices Adam Caffrey, Luke McAteer and Scott McCullough riding recent winners Is That Love, Meishar and Dusty Winds for Ado McGuinness, James McAuley and Pat Murphy respectively.

The saddlecloths in the Gannons City Recovery And Recycling Services Ltd Supporting DAFA Handicap have all been sponsored to raise money for DAFA and were allocated to the declared horses in a draw that took place at Bellewstown Racecourse this morning.

Tony Gannon, owner of Gannons City Recovery and Recycling Services, said: “We are delighted to be associated with such a special day for my friend Barney and to help raise so much money for his charity DAFA.”

Alan Delany, Bellewstown committee member and race organiser, added: “We are really excited about Thursday. We are looking forward to welcoming Frankie, Jamie, Tom, and Shane to the Hill of Crockafotha. It’s going to be a special race-meeting for everyone as we remember Barney Curley and help raise money for the brilliant work of DAFA.”