Frankie Dettori’s Team

Jamie Spencer

Shane Kelly

Tom Queally

Seamie Heffernan

Billy Lee

Chris Hayes

Siobhan Rutledge

Willie Mullins' Team

Rachael Blackmore

Colin Keane

Wayne Lordan

Declan McDonogh

Shane Foley

Dylan Browne McMonagle

Robert Whearty

Team captains Frankie and Willie have each assembled a team of seven top-class jockeys who will go head-to-head over two races, generously sponsored by Gannon City Recovery & Recycling Services Limited and The Gallagher Group. Points will be awarded to the first eight horses home on a scale of 15, 12, 10, 8, 7,6, 5, 4 and the team that accumulates the highest number of points across the two races in the challenge will win the Barney Curley Charity Cup.

Frankie Dettori, commented: “I really want to win the inaugural Barney Curley Charity Cup so have picked a team that will give us every chance to lift the cup. Jamie, Shane and Tom, all great friends of Barney, are travelling over from the UK especially for this event. Seamie Heffernan is one of the most experienced jockeys in the weigh room, while Billy and Chris are having great seasons. Siobhan is one of Ireland’s top apprentices and is hugely talented, so I’m confident we will give Willie’s team a good run for their money”

Willie Mullins, Champion Jumps Trainer, said: “The pressure is on the home team to win the first Barney Curley Charity Cup so I’ve picked a very competitive team, with a great spread of experience, who all know what it takes to win. Bellewstown is Robert Whearty’s home racecourse, so it’s great to have that local knowledge on the team. Rachael and Colin are well used to breaking glass ceilings while Wayne, Declan, Shane and Dylan have been racking up the winners this year. We are going to give it our all, in memory of Barney and the great work he did with DAFA.”

Alan Delany, Vice Chair of Bellewstown, said: “Frankie and Willie have assembled two amazing teams of riders which should make for a brilliant race day on Wednesday September 28th. This is the first of what Bellewstown hope will become a very special event on our fixture list, all in honour of our great friend Barney Curley and to support his wonderful charity, Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA).”