Frankie Dettori and Willie Mullins to face off for new Barney Curley Charity Cup

Frankie Dettori and Willie Mullins will go head to head in memory of the late Barney Curley at Bellewstown this month as the pair prepare to captain teams in the inaugural Barney Curley Charity Cup.

Launched with the ambition of raising funds for Direct Aid for Africa (Dafa), which Curley set up in 1996 to support underprivileged people in Zambia, the initiative will take place at Bellewstown's next meeting on Wednesday, September 28.

Two teams of seven riders will do battle in two races, sponsored by Gannon City Recovery & Recycling Services Limited and The Gallagher Group, with Dettori overseeing the away team and Mullins managing the home side.

Points will be awarded to the first eight placed horses on a result-based scale, and the team with the most points across the two races will be awarded the Barney Curley Charity Cup.

The Meath track is a fitting home of the jockeys' challenge as it was the scene of Curley's Yellow Sam coup in 1975.

Bellewstown vice-chair and event organiser Alan Delany said: "In 2021 we had a special raceday at Bellewstown in memory of Barney Curley and we are keen to remember his association with Bellewstown, continuing his legacy and the wonderful work of Dafa."

Willie Mullins and Frankie Dettori celebrate a memorable Irish St Leger win thanks to Wicklow Brave in 2016Credit: Caroline Norris

Mullins added: "Frankie is one of the most competitive jockeys in the world and I know Barney was such a good friend of his, so the home team jockeys and I will have our work cut out.

"Barney was one of the great racing characters and did such fantastic work with Dafa, so I'm honoured to support the inaugural Barney Curley Charity Cup and hopefully we can keep the cup at home. It's going to be a great day."

It will not be the first time Dettori has tried to hit the headlines at Bellewstown having won the race run in honour of Curley at the track last September.

Dettori said: "I'm looking forward to coming back to Bellewstown in memory of my great friend and to support his wonderful charity Dafa. I was delighted to win the 2016 Irish St Leger for Willie on Wicklow Brave, but I'll be selecting my team carefully to try to beat Willie and his home team.

"Both of us will want to win the challenge, so I can guarantee it's going to be ultra-competitive."

Tickets are available to purchase online here, with €10 of the €20 admission charge donated to Dafa.

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