John T. McNamara
John Thomas ‘JT’ McNamara was born in Limerick on April 8, 1973. A top Irish amateur rider, he won over 600 point-to-point races and almost every major prize restricted to amateurs under National Hunt rules in Ireland as well as many others open to professionals. He formed a hugely successful partnership with owner JP McManus and trainer Enda Bolger.
John Thomas ‘JT’ McNamara was born in Limerick on April 8, 1973. A top Irish amateur rider, he won over 600 point-to-point races and almost every major prize restricted to amateurs under National Hunt rules in Ireland as well as many others open to professionals. He formed a hugely successful partnership with owner JP McManus and trainer Enda Bolger.
He was an ‘ever-present’ at Punchestown’s National Hunt Festival throughout his career. His haul included five La Touche Cups on Risk of Thunder (2002), Good Step (2005), Spot Thedifference (2004, 2007) and L’Ami (2010); three Ladies Cups on Buailtes And Fadas (2003), Abrams Bridge (2006) and Outlaw Pete (2011); three Bishopscourt Cups on Master Julian (1998) and Ever Onward (2003, 2004); two Champion Hunters’ Chases aboard On The Fringe (2010, 2012), and the Grade 1 Champion NH Flat Race in 2001 on Like-A-Butterfly (run that year at Leopardstown).
He was an ‘ever-present’ at Punchestown’s National Hunt Festival throughout his career. His haul included five La Touche Cups on Risk of Thunder (2002), Good Step (2005), Spot Thedifference (2004, 2007) and L’Ami (2010); three Ladies Cups on Buailtes And Fadas (2003), Abrams Bridge (2006) and Outlaw Pete (2011); three Bishopscourt Cups on Master Julian (1998) and Ever Onward (2003, 2004); two Champion Hunters’ Chases aboard On The Fringe (2010, 2012), and the Grade 1 Champion NH Flat Race in 2001 on Like-A-Butterfly (run that year at Leopardstown).
‘JT’ was always in high demand for rides in the amateur races at the Cheltenham Festival. In 2002 he partnered Rith Dubh to victory in the Diamond Jubilee edition of the National Hunt Chase. He was successful in the 2005 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase on Spot Thedifference and won the 2007 Foxhunters’ Chase on Drombeag. He won his second National Hunt Chase in 2012 on Teaforthree.
‘JT’ was always in high demand for rides in the amateur races at the Cheltenham Festival. In 2002 he partnered Rith Dubh to victory in the Diamond Jubilee edition of the National Hunt Chase. He was successful in the 2005 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase on Spot Thedifference and won the 2007 Foxhunters’ Chase on Drombeag. He won his second National Hunt Chase in 2012 on Teaforthree.
His glittering career ended when he sustained a serious back injury and a fractured the C3 and C4 vertebrae in his neck when his mount Galaxy Rock fell at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. The fall left him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
His glittering career ended when he sustained a serious back injury and a fractured the C3 and C4 vertebrae in his neck when his mount Galaxy Rock fell at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. The fall left him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
In June 2014, 15 months after his Cheltenham fall, he was discharged from the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport and returned home to Limerick.
In June 2014, 15 months after his Cheltenham fall, he was discharged from the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport and returned home to Limerick.
Sadly, he suffered complications in July 2016. He was transferred University Hospital Limerick and then discharged to spend his final days with his family.
Sadly, he suffered complications in July 2016. He was transferred University Hospital Limerick and then discharged to spend his final days with his family.
John Thomas ‘JT’ McNamara died at his home on July 26, 2016 at the age of 41, leaving behind his wife Caroline and three children.
John Thomas ‘JT’ McNamara died at his home on July 26, 2016 at the age of 41, leaving behind his wife Caroline and three children.