Yellow sam the play a big success at bellewstown
Barney Curley the actor met the real deal at Bellewstown races today when the legendary Barney Curley took his place in the audience beside Michael Furlong for the one-act play Yellow Sam which marked the 40th anniversary of the 1975 betting coup at the hillside Meath track.
It was a fiiting tribute as Bellewstown Racecourse in partnership with Droichead Arts Centre delivered a 50-minute production that was written by Colm Maher and directed by Paul Hayes.
There was a two-man cast of Padraic McIntyre (playing Barney Curley) and Gerard Adlum (playing everyone else, but primarily Benny O'Hanlon).
O'Hanlon was the man charged with keeping the one telephone link to the track engaged for up to 15 minutes before the start of the Mount Hanover Amateur Handicap Hurdle in which Yellow Sam was running with Barney Curley's money on with the bookmakers.
The gamble worked - Barney Curley got the bets on around the country.
Communiction with the track was not possible as the phone in the public phone box (which was also on display) was engaged as the caller (Benny O'Hanlon) checked on the condition of his ill aunt in a nearby hospital.
The plot was known to all who attended. The Clerk of the Course on the day back in 1975 Joe Collins was present as was Tommy Stack.
Also there was the Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Paul Bell.
After the two-man cast had received a standing ovation, Barney Curley repleid to a question about how authentic the play was - 'They did their research, it was good, I enjoyed it.'
Barney took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs with Yellow Sam's jockey Michael Furlong who won the race from Glenallen which was ridden by Sam Morshead and Silver Road which was ridden by current champion trainer Willie Mullins.
Other jockeys who rode in that race included Ted Walsh, the late John Fowler, Eddie Woods, who was on board Philipine Hill trained by his father Paddy - and Paddy was there today also.
Barney Curley's return from the betting on Yellow Sam was some IR£300,000 (equivalent to approx €1.7m in today''s currency).
Although the bookmakers were not happy about the betting - they did pay out in £1 note which apparently filled 108 bags,
Barney Curley watched the race from the middle of the racecourse. Michael Furlong didn't know anything about the bets or the gamble until he saw it in the newspapers the next day.
Paul Hayes who directed the play said 'I am indebted to Nick Townsend who provided us with so much information on Barney's story and Horse Racing Ireland for their support.'
Nick Townsend was also there today.
There may be more performances of this play - but that is not confirmed at this time. See video clip of the play.