JP McManus: A Legendary Owner with Racing's Green and Gold Legacy JP McManus is one of the best known owners in jumps racing. The Limerick native has enjoyed winners at the Cheltenham Festival over more than four decades and his famous green and gold hoops silks are synonymous with the biggest races in the sport. McManus first worked for his father's plant hire business after completing his studies but he soon left to become a bookmaker, though he openly admits that didn't go to plan and he was forced to go back and work for his father again after losing his money. He was also involved in property development in Ireland and foreign exchange trading and was one of the most renowned gamblers of his era. McManus, it is believed, made much of his early fortune from successfully beating the bookies, before teaming up with the likes of John Magnier and Dermot Desmond in a range of business and investment opportunities. He is married to Noreen, and they have three children. He built a €20m residence next to Martinstown Stud in Killmallock in his home county of Limerick, though he also owns homes in Barbados, Dublin and London. McManus counts Tiger Woods amongst his close personal friends and the American golfer has been a big supporter of the JP McManus Pro-Am event at Adare Manor. The Limerick venue, owned by McManus, will host the Ryder Cup in 2027. In 2023, McManus became the honorary lifetime president of Limerick GAA and he is a major supporter of the county's teams in Ireland's much loved amateur sports of hurling, football and camogie. For many years, McManus' retained rider was AP McCoy, the perennial champion jockey, and they enjoyed many major successes together including the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup together with trainer Jonjo O'Neill. More so than any owner in the sport, McManus is famous for having his horses with a wide and varied pool of trainers - big and small - throughout Britain and Ireland and his support is often cited for sustaining many of the smaller yards in the game. Notable horses Given the longevity of his career, McManus has enjoyed a host of big names racing in his iconic silks. After the 2025 event McManus has enjoyed 80 Cheltenham Festival winners - a record tally. Istabraq won the Champion Hurdle three times from 1998 onwards among a plethora of Grade 1 wins for one of the modern greats over hurdles. Baracouda is a two-time Stayers' Hurdle winner while Buveur D'air gave McManus his 50th winner at the Cotswolds showpiece. In 2012, Synchronised won the Gold Cup in the Cotswolds under McCoy, while in 2025 the Gavin Cromwell-trained Inothewayurthinkin added a second Blue Riband for the owner. McManus has a joint-record three Aintree Grand National wins as owner. In 2010, Don't Push It finally ended McCoy's quest to win the world's most famous steeplechase, while in 2021 Minella Times was ridden to glory by Rachael Blackmore in a success that made global headlines. I Am Maximus — trained by Willie Mullins — won the Aintree marathon in 2024. Did you know? Alongside his business and sporting interests, McManus is noted as a man of immense generosity. Since 2008, McManus has overseen the All Ireland Scholarships scheme, which offers financial support to approximately 125 students per annum going into third level education, with McManus covering their fees and living costs for the duration of their university course.
