THE MUNSTER NATIONAL is to be renamed in honour of John Thomas McNamara, the Limerick jockey who died earlier this summer.
Thirty-six horses were entered today for the €100,000 national hunt race which takes place at Limerick Racecourse on Sunday 9 October.
McNamara, who is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s best-ever amateur jockeys, was left paralysed following a serious racing accident at Cheltenham in 2013. He died in July aged 41.
“John Thomas, a native of Croom, County Limerick will forever be fondly renowned as one of the greatest horsemen of all time after his passing in July,” said Conor O’Neill, general manager of Limerick Racecourse.
“A highly regarded and well respected amateur jockey, John Thomas was a man with a phenomenal talent which he combined with extraordinary determination and incredible bravery to enjoy success at the highest levels.
“It is only fitting that the Ladbrokes Munster National is renamed as a tribute to the legendary John Thomas McNamara and it is an association that everybody at Limerick Racecourse is very proud to be a part of.”
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