WELL done to all concerned. A committee at Bellewstown Racecourse were ambitious to raise money for Barney Curley’s Direct Aid for Africa charity as the track was the setting for the late great punter’s biggest coup in June 1975 when Yellow Sam won at 20/1. Curley set up Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA) in 1996 to support the underprivileged people of Zambia.

On Thursday September 30th last year, Bellewstown hosted a special race in memory of Barney Curley, the Gannons City Recovery And Recycling Services Ltd Supporting DAFA Handicap, which was won in dramatic style by Frankie Dettori on Trueba for his good friend Johnny Murtagh.

Funds were also raised by auctioning one of Barney Curley’s trademark hats and there was a lucky dip raffle for a host of fantastic spot prizes; the charity day has raised the sum of €104,000.

Alan Delany, committee member and fundraising co-ordinator, said: “We received unbelievable support and generosity from all our sponsors and racegoers, and it was great to witness such a buzz around the enclosures. Everyone had a wonderful day for a wonderful charity, and we are already working on plans to bring Frankie and the guys back next year to continue supporting Barney Curley’s great charity.”

Catherine Curley, Barney’s daughter, commented: “On behalf of our chairman Andrew Montague, our secretary Vincent Maguire and the entire Direct Aid for Africa family, we would like to express our gratitude to Bellewstown Racecourse for the brilliant day last September, all in memory of my dad, Barney. The generosity shown was remarkable and €104,000 will make a real difference to DAFA’s key projects.”