AS CROWDS at racecourses in Ireland and the UK stood in silence as Limerick paid its own tributes to Croom jockey JT McNamara who died on Tuesday morning, three years after a devastating fall at the Cheltenham national hunt festival.
Billionaire racehorse owner JP McManus said that the father of three was “an absolute horse of a man”, while 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy said that the JT McNamara was a remarkable man for all he did after his career was prematurely cut short in 2013.
“I will never forget that day of the fall” he said as “today is a very sad day for everyone in racing, especially his family – his wife Caroline. She’s a very tough and amazing woman, since she’s been caring for JT
“He was a remarkable man,” the champion jockey said.
With more than 600 race wins, four of them at Cheltenham, JT was considered one of the county’s finest exports to the world of horse racing and the national hunt circuit.
John Thomas McNamara fractured two vertebrae in his neck after he was thrown from his mount, Galaxy Rock during the 2013 Cheltenham festival.
The fall paralysed the Limerick man from the neck down and left him wheelchair bound for 15 months.
“When JT had his accident in Cheltenham he could have died that day but the will of the man to live at the time, and the good that came out of that afterwards from the hundreds of people who rallied to support him and his family; that is his legacy,” said Mr McManus.
“JT brought about a huge awareness around people who suffer in this way. It was a terrible situation that brought good. The world is a better place because of JT and his situation and how hard he fought,” he added.
AP McCoy said that JT always wanted something good to come from what happened and before his fall, the Injured Jockey’s Fund stood just short of €9,000, but in the aftermath of his accident, the total rose to over €1 million.
The 41-year old is survived by his wife Caroline, his two sons Dylan, Harry and his daughter Olivia.
In 2002, JT rode Rith Dubh to Cheltenham victory and Mr McManus said that such was his manner and kindness, JT almost kissed the horse over the line. AP McCoy said it was as good a win as you could ever have seen.
In 2005, he landed the Glenfarclas Cross County Handicap Chase with Spot Thedifference and in in 2007 he rode Drombeag to first past the post in the Foxhunter Chase.
A year before his fall, JT partnered Teaforthree to secure a famous win in the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase at the 2012 Cheltenham festival
His four Cheltenham wins were secured while wearing the famous green and gold silks of JP McManus who described the Croom man as a very caring and very direct person who would “never use two words when one would do instead.
“He was loyal to a fault either to man or horse, he stuck with horses at times when he had the option of riding a better one but he felt he owed it to the horse, when often it might have been the horse that owed him. He had a great love for the animal he was riding,” recalled Mr McManus.
“It’s interesting to hear so many great jockeys who looked up to him as the absolute horse man. He knew when to be kind. He knew when kindness worked best with a horse. He knew the horse. He could be forceful when necessary and he could have ridden more fancy horses but he was extremely loyal to the horse.”
Legendary rock star Bruce Sprinsteen brought the house down at Thomond Park when he dedicated a rendition of “My Hometown” to JT.
Limerick Mayor Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said that “JT’s drive to not let his injuries define him can only be described as courageous.
“JT was determined to use his vast knowledge of horses to continue to pursue a career in the racing industry and turned his attention to training and he operated the Springfield Stables in Croom,” the Mayor added.
“Sometimes we take for granted the jockeys who go out and ride, putting their lives at risk for our enjoyment and pleasure.”
Mayor O’Hanlon confirmed that the council will look to suitably honour and remember the Limerick jockey.
John Thomas McNamara will be laid to rest this Friday after requiem mass at St Michael’s Church, Manister.
