Dream result at Bellewstown as Dettori wins race run in memory of Barney Curley

There were huge scenes of celebration at Bellewstown on Thursday as Frankie Dettori marked his first visit to the track by winning the race run in memory of his late friend and mentor Barney Curley.

Dettori landed the Gannons City Recovery And Recycling Services Ltd Supporting DAFA Handicap (3.05) aboard the Johnny Murtagh-trained Trueba.

One of 14 riders to pull on a set of silks in memory of the legendary punter and former trainer at Bellewstown, the scene of Curley's greatest coup with Yellow Sam, Dettori was positive from the off aboard Trueba.

3.05 Bellewstown: full result and race replay

After breaking well, Dettori elected to sit one off the lead, before taking multiple peeks between his legs coming down the hill and forging to he front.

He was all out to hold the late rattle of Meishar and Red Heel, with the victory sparking scenes of widespread celebration in the winner's enclosure.

The winning rider said: "It's been mad all day. I'm sure Barney is having a chuckle up there. I never thought I would come here but I have heard so much about this place. To commemorate his life and give awareness to DAFA, the reception has been amazing, and it's another milestone as it's my first winner for my good friend Johnny."

Frankie Dettori poses in front of the famous Bellewstown phone box with Barney Curley's fedoraCredit: Morgan Treacy

Dettori added: "We have tried so hard before and who would have thought we'd be doing it together for Barney's race? It's a first for everything and I've really enjoyed it. I feel like one of the players at the Ryder Cup to be honest with you. It's been mad. The people have been fantastic. It's been exhausting at times, I mean I took a million selfies, but it's been good fun and I hope they've enjoyed it because I sure did.

"Barney was great to me. I came to Newmarket by myself. He was like a father figure to me and gave me a lot of advice. He was very caring and we travelled the world together. Up until his very last day I was with him. We have to celebrate his life, not cry. He was a tremendous human being."

Trueba was delivered at fever pitch on the day by Murtagh who, like Dettori, celebrated the result with vigour.

Murtagh said: "That was great. There was a great story told about Bellewstown about the time when Barney Curley landed the big touch. I think this is the next big story. Frankie Dettori winning the race in Barney's name. I'm really happy. It's brilliant."

He added: "He's a straightforward horse who has been coming down the handicap and it was an ideal race for him. He likes to front-run. Frankie rang me up the other day and he asked me had a chance.

"I said, 'I think he has a chance.' It's a great story and I'm thrilled to win the race named after a great man. The winner was ridden by another great man in Frankie Dettori."

Yellow Sam: a perfectly executed gamble that netted Barney Curley a fortune

Curley died in May aged 81 and all funds raised from Thursday’s race will be donated to his charity Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA), which he set up in 1996 to support people in Zambia.

Jamie Spencer, Shane Kelly and Colin Keane were also among those with rides in the race.

Barney Curley: legendary gambler and former trainerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alan Delany, Bellewstown committee member and race organiser, said the money raised for DAFA on the day could yet reach €100,000.

He said: "It's phenomenal. We have a huge crowd here today and everyone has been unbelievable. It's been photos and television interviews all day. It's really capturing the imagination. We could go very close to €100,000 on the day."

Delany added: "Barney was a great friend of Bellewstown racecourse. It struck me that, after Barney passed away, Bellewstown and Yellow Sam were mentioned. I just felt that Barney had been very good to us and maybe we could give a little bit back."

Read more on Barney Curley:

Barney Curley, legendary punter and former trainer, dies at the age of 81

'He got under people's skin but men like him are few and far between'

Long list of winning gambles contributed to the popular legend of Barney Curley

Frankie Dettori: 'I was a tearaway but Barney put his arm around me and made me a better person'(Members' Club)

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