IN-FORM trainer Eric McNamara, who was a welcoming host of the Mr Binman Christmas Racing Festival launch at his Beechmount Stables in Rathkeale, is optimistic of coming away with a winner, or winners, from Patrickswell’s Greenmount Park in a couple of weeks’ time.
The festival runs from St Stephen’s Day through to December 29.
It’s all of 40 years now since McNamara saddled his first winner at the festival, courtesy of Sir John at the old Greenpark.
“For John was the start of it. I suppose everyone remembers their first winner and For John was a super little horse. My brother Jimmy had a couple of nice horses that used to be trained by Mickey Lee,” he said.
“When I gave up my show jumping career, I ended up starting to train some very good horses: For John and War Saint were two. There were one or two others came as well and they all won three or four races.
“I got the bug and of course I thought this game is simple and I knew more than everyone else whereas what really happened is I had a few very good horses that all won for us. As you go through the years, you realise, you need a good horse.”
The family element is a significant part of that, he adds.
“To have Conor (son) and Kate (daughter) back in the fold after being away learning is great. I remember talking to JP McManus one time and he said ‘surround yourself with good people and you’ll have a great chance’, and we have,” Mr McNamara said.
“Kate and Conor have come back home and we have great staff that have been here a long time. And it all stems from the kids’ mother, Paula.”
Limerick has been very kind since that first winner, he insists, making him optimistic that he can make his presence felt once more.
