Bellewstown races in focus with snapper David Mullen

Meath Chronicle photographer David Mullen attended Bellewstown races on Wednesday evening to get a flavour of the unique atmosphere at the hilltop track.

A number of his photographs are below and there will be a two-page spread in the next edition of the Meath Chronicle as he also managed to get a few snaps of spectators enjoying a day at Bellewstown.

On the track Gavain Cromwell was the man in form with three winners.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396

Action returns to Bellewstown next month with a special race on the card to remember the late Barney Curley - if you look at one of the photos below you will see the famous telephone box from the Yellow Sam betting coup in the background.

Millie Magner & Joanne Grimes (Skerries) enjoying the races.Photo: David Mullen / www.quirke.ie ©John Quirke ; Photo by David Mullen
As the sun sets on Bellewstown hill, the Horses and Riders compete in the Avison Young (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat RacePhoto: David Mullen / www.quirke.ie Photo by David Mullen
Joseph Hennessy trained Lady Lingo with R.Deegan in the saddle on the way to winning the John H Kierans Memorial Mares Hurdle at Bellewstown; Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396
Colin Bowe trained Zamond with JC Gainford clears the last and goes on to win the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396
Owners Vincent & Keeva Murray receive the presentation after COULONCES won the Whiteriver Wood Flooring Claiming Hurdle Photo by David Mullen
Owners Philip Meade, Andrew White and Patrick Meade pictured at the RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle presentation Photo by David Mullen
Action from the Bective Stud Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle Photo by David Mullen
Georgie Benson Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396
Sarah Lynam Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396
Trainer Des McDonogh Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396
Edward O`Grady trained Act of God with Paul Townend in the saddle is neck and neck with Cliftop but goes on to win the Bective Stud Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle Photo by David Mullen, David Mullen 087-2229396

NEXT UP

On Thursday 30th September Bellewstown Racecourse will host a special race in memory of Barney Curley who passed away in May this year and who was so closely associated with the Meath track.

Some of the top jockeys from England and Ireland will line-up for the unique Flat race on day two of Bellewstown’s September meeting.

Each saddlecloth in the race is available for sponsorship for a minimum of €5,000 and 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.

The fundraising drive for DAFA will continue in the enclosure with several fundraising activities and events.

Limited tickets to Bellewstown are available to purchase on www.bellewstownraces.ie from Monday September 6 and cost €25, €10 of which will be donated to DAFA, and every racegoer will receive a commemorative racecard.

Alternatively, people can donate on DAFA’s website www.dafa.ie

Barney Curley and Michael Furlong (Yellow Sam jockey) at Bellewstown in 2015 on the 40th anniversary of the race

The betting coup returned some Ir£300,000 (in 1975) for the connections.