John Thomas "JT" McNamara (8 April 1975 – 26 July 2016) was an Irish amateur

steeplechase Steeplechase may refer to: * Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles * Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...

jockey. He won over 600 racecourse victories during his career. He sustained a serious back injury and a broken neck after a fall at the 2013

Cheltenham Festival The Cheltenham Festival is a horse racing-based meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. The four-day festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Ra ...

which left him paralysed and using a wheelchair.

Biography

Career

In a glittering amateur career, McNamara rode over 600 point-to-point winners, breaking Enda Bolger's career record in 2006 before himself being overhauled by current record holder, Derek O'Connor some years later. Under rules, he carried home almost every major prize restricted to amateurs as well as many others open to professionals after forming a hugely successful partnership with the Bolger yard. In his native Ireland, McNamara was ever-present at the National Hunt Festival at Punchestown for the duration of his career. His haul included five La Touche Cups (2010 L'Ami, 2007, 2004 Spot Thedifference, 2005 Good Step, 2002 Risk Of Thunder), three Ladies Cups (2011, Outlaw Pete, 2006 Abrams Bridge, 2003 Buailtes and Fadas), three Bishopscourt Cups (2004, 2003 Ever Onward, 1998 Master Julian), two Champion Hunters' Chases (2012, 2010 On The Fringe) and the Grade 1 Champion NH Flat Race (2001, Like-A-Butterfly, run at Leopardstown). McNamara 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 National Hunt Chase following a celebrated ride. He was successful in the 2005

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Cross-Country Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 mile ...

with Spot Thedifference and won the 2007

Foxhunter Chase Foxhunter (1940–1959) was a champion show jumping horse ridden by Harry Llewellyn, best known for their part in securing Great Britain's only gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics (in the Team Jumping equestrian event). They also were part ...

on Drombeag. He secured his second National Hunt Chase in 2012 with Teaforthree.

Back injury and paralysis

The jockey, from

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

, was badly hurt when Galaxy Rock, trained locally in Gloucestershire by

Jonjo O'Neill John Joseph "Jonjo" O'Neill (born 13 April 1952) is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England. O'Neill ...

, fell at the first fence in the 2013

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain for amateur riders; it is open to horses aged five years or older. The chase is run on the New Course at Ch ...

. The fall fractured McNamara's C3 and C4 vertebrae. McNamara was flown to

Frenchay Hospital Frenchay Hospital was a large hospital situated in Frenchay, South Gloucestershire, on the north east outskirts of Bristol, England, which is now closed. In 2014, it contracted to a few brain and head injuries services. It was managed by North ...

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city i ...

and was initially kept in an induced coma after recovering from neck surgery. He was the first jockey to have been paralysed on riding at a British racecourse since Wayne Burton suffered a serious head injury in a fall in Exeter in March 2008. In June 2014, McNamara returned home to Ireland in a wheelchair 15 months after his fall at Cheltenham.

Personal life

McNamara was married to Caroline and the couple had three children. McNamara lived in his country of birth, Ireland. He suffered complications in July 2016 before being transferred to

University Hospital Limerick University Hospital Limerick ( ga, Ospidéal na hOllscoile, Luimneach) is a hospital located in Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland. It is managed by UL Hospitals Group. History The hospital, which was designed by Patrick Sheahan, was officially ope ...

and then discharged to spend his final days with his family. He died at his home on 26 July 2016 at the age of 41.''Belfast Telegraph'' Jockey John Thomas McNamara dies aged 41
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McNamara, John 1975 births 2016 deaths Irish jockeys Equestrians from County Limerick