Most people have to die before reaching legendary status.
Not John Patrick McManus, the pint-sizes professional gambler, whose monster bets rang in the ears of fearless Freddie Williams bookmaker. A Celtic battle of money and mind, which saw ‘The Sundance Kid’ walk away from the Cheltenham betting ring with almost *£1M. That covered just two bets on a single day.
* 2006 Cheltenham Festival: Reveillez 6/1 & Kadoun at 50/1. Bets tottaled: £925,000 (Freddie Williams).
Would you fancy taking a bet from this man?
McManus was born in 1951, Limerick, Ireland.
At the age of 21 he became a licenced bookmaker, standing at Limerick Greyhound track.
It was the start of a business empire trading in currency markets, property investments, goldfields, nursing homes, pubs and restaurants, hotels, bookmakers and once a major shareholder in Manchester United FC.
With a net worth over 2 billion, the ‘Richest Man in Limerick!’ has invested heavily in his passion of horse racing, predominently the National Hunt. In fact, it is said he is the National Hunt’s largest owner with 550 horses.
No wonder he still enjoys a bet.
The J. P. McManus racing silks are a staple for race meeting across the UK. And his list of top-class horses in training and yesteryear detail an enviable selection of Grade 1 winners including the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National.
Having been crowned champion jumps owner 8 times and at the time of writing he has had 74 winners at Prestbury Park.
Quite incredible.
J. P. McManus loves the Aintree Grand National. With such a powerful string of horses, spread across trainers, he often has multiple horses heading to Aintree. The green and yellow silk a familiar sight in the winner’s enclosure.
For all of his successes, winning the Grand National, the most famous horse race in the world, is no easy feat. However, the Irishman has won this race three times.
2010 Aintree Grand National:
Don’t Push It, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, ridden by Tony McCoy. This was a memorable victory for the noted jockey and his only success in the race. Don’t Push It, returned 10/1jf. He beat Black Apalachi by five lengths, with State Of Play a gallant third. J.P. McManus had other runners including: Can’t Buy Time I (F), King John’s Castle (RR) & Arbor Supreme (UR).
2021 Aintree Grand National:
Minella Times, won the National at odds of 11/1, trained by Henry de Bromhead, ridden by Rachel Blackmore, the first female jockey to win this race. This was the 173rd running of the Grand National. McManus owned the third horse in this race, Any Second Now, was the more fancied in the betting (15/2). Blako Des Flos (100/1) finished runner-up. J. P. McManus had other runners including: Canelo (F), Anibale Fly (PU), Ok Corral (PU), Camberlite Candy (PU) & The Long Mile (PU).
2024 Aintree Grand National:
I Am Maximus is the third winner of the Grand National for J.P McManus, trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Paul Townsend. The 7/1jf ran out a comfortable winner by seven and half lengths. McManus had four other horses in the race: Meetingofthewaters (7th), Limerick Lace (10th), Capodonna (16th) & Janidil (PU).
From 2004, McManus has had horses placed in the first four of the Grand National including:
2004 Clan Royale 2nd
2008 King John’s Castle 2nd
2010 Don’t Push It 1st
2011 Don’t Push It 3rd
2012 Sunny Hill Boy 2nd
2014 Double Seven 3rd
2016 Gilgamboa 4th
2017 Cause Of Causes 2nd
2018 Anibale Fly 4th
2021 Minella Times 1st
2022 Any Second Now 2nd
2024 I Am Maximus 1st
*Denotes: (F) Fell, (UR) Unseated Rider, (PU) Pulled Up & (RR) Refused to Race