Past greats return to the saddle at Bellewstown Charlie Swan, Norman Williamson, Conor O’Dwyer and Adrian Maguire are just some of the names that will return to the saddle at Bellewstown next Thursday to compete in a “Legends Race” which will help raise funds to erect a statue of Arkle in Ashbourne. Other notables taking part are trainer Arthur Moore, Martin Lynch, Joe Byrne and Robbie Hennessy, while none other than Lester Piggott will be there on the day accompanied by Sean Magee who wrote Arkle: The Life and Legacy of Himself. Bellewstown hosts two evening meetings next Wednesday and Thursday (August 17-18), and the Legends event is sponsored by Foleys Antiques who have a great collection of Arkle memorabilia including Pat Taaffe’s saddle, all of which will all be displayed on the day. Each rider in the race is being asked to collect sponsorship which will go towards the Arkle Memorial Statue Fund. The fund has been established to build a statue of Arkle in his home town of Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Lynsey Dreaper from the Arkle Memorial Statue Committee said: “Bellewstown Racecourse, The Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland have been extremely helpful in the organisation of the race which we hope will become an annual highlight of this festival. "This year’s race is in aid of the Arkle statue fund but we envisage it becoming a fundraiser for local charities in future years after Arkle and Pat Taaffe have been placed proudly on their plinth in Ashbourne.” Bellewstown Manager Kevin Coleman said: This is a very special event for both me personally and the Bellewstown Racecourse Committee to be involved with. Arkle and Pat Taaffe were childhood heroes of mine, and as a young boy I had the privilege to be in Fairyhouse the day he won the Irish Grand National. "From the racecourse’s perspective, Arkle’s dam Bright Cherry won at Bellewstown in the 1950s and Arkle was also bred and trained locally – something we are very proud of.”
