Frankie Dettori on board for Johnny Murtagh at Bellewstown

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 Italian jockey is among 14 riders taking part in a special race in memory of Barney Curley who was so closely associated with the 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.

Bohermeen man 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," he added.

A 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.

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.