Latest news with #IamMaximus
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
JP McManus & wife Noreen suffer tragic misfortune as sibling race horses die within days of one another
Earlier this week JP made a lovely gesture to his local GAA club SAD TIME JP McManus & wife Noreen suffer tragic misfortune as sibling race horses die within days of one another JP AND Noreen McManus have had to endure the death of another of their horses within the space of two weeks. Magnolia Drive sadly went wrong after falling at the first on Monday at Ballinrobe, county Mayo. Advertisement 2 JP McManus had previously seen Magnolia Drive's brother die at the Galway Races Credit: PA 2 Wife Noreen is a highly successful breeder in the horse racing game Credit: Sportsfile The terrible scene unfolded in the C.J. Sheeran Ltd Maiden Hurdle which was the opening race on the day's card at the packed venue. Noreen had bred the three-year-old filly who was trained by Joseph O'Brien. Tragically, that was her first outing over hurdles after showing significant potential while last month claiming a flat victory in Killarney. Jockey Simon Torrens was at least unharmed after they both went crashing to the ground in the heavy fall. Advertisement It comes as in quick succession to the death of Common Practice at the Galway Races. What's more, the latter was the Magnolia Drive's full brother. He was euthanised after tripping over the fourth-last hurdle during the Galway Plate. Similarly trained by O'Brien, the six-year-old had generated over €120,000 in prize money which included five wins. On a more upbeat note, the Limerick billionaire made a heartfelt gesture to his local GAA club earlier this week. The 74-year-old gifted Grand national-winning silks to South Liberties GAA. Advertisement The silks were worn by Paul Townend during the Aintree Grand National in 2024 when he rode I am Maximus to glory. The Willie Mullins-trained star is owned by McManus and has recorded nine career wins. 'End of an era for Irish racing' - Patrick Mullins on Thurles closure and future hopes for re-opening at Galway races McManus spent a large portion of his childhood living in Ballysheedy where South Liberties would have been his local club with their Dooley Park venue. The green and gold hooped design on the silks was inspired by the colours of the Limerick GAA club. Advertisement The proud Limerick man presented the silks to the club chairman along with players Barry Nash and Eoghan Godfrey. Nash has been a mainstay in the Limerick team since 2016, winning five All-Irelands and six Munster titles. The two-time All-Star will hope to end his local club's 44-year Limerick senior Championship drought. South Liberties GAA took to social to say: "The club was beyond honoured recently, when JP Mc Manus presented this amazing frame to chairman John Godfrey, along with Barry Nash and Eoghan Godfrey. Advertisement "The South Liberties colours were worn last year by Paul Townend on 'I am Maximus', winning the Aintree Grand National in 2024. "It will be hung with immense pride in our club house. Thank you JP and the McManus families."
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Billionaire JP McManus makes heartfelt gesture to his local GAA club that's welcomed by Limerick All-Star
The club have thanked JP McManus for his generosity and will hang it up with 'immense pride' in their clubhouse GENEROUS JP Billionaire JP McManus makes heartfelt gesture to his local GAA club that's welcomed by Limerick All-Star JP MCMANUS visited his local GAA club bearing an incredible gift for the clubhouse walls. The Irish businessman has gifted a Grand national winning silks to South Liberties GAA. 2 JP McManus presented the jersey to the club chairman as well as two players 2 Paul Townend won his first Grand National in the green and gold in 2024 The silks worn by Paul Townsend during the Aintree Grand National in 2024 when he rode I am Maximus to glory. The Willie Mullins-trained horse is owned by McManus and has recorded nine career wins. JP McManus spent a large portion of his childhood living in Ballysheedy where South Liberties would have been his local club with their Dooley Park venue. The green and gold hooped design on the silks was inspired by the colours of the Limerick GAA club. The proud Limerick man presented the silks to the club chairman along with players Barry Nash and Eoghan Godfrey. Nash has been a mainstay in the Limerick team since 2016, winning five All-Irelands and six Munster titles. The two-time All-Star will hope to end his local club's 44-year Limerick senior Championship drought. South Liberties GAA took to social to say: "The Club was beyond honoured recently, when JP Mc Manus presented this amazing frame to Chairman John Godfrey, along with Barry Nash and Eoghan Godfrey. "The South Liberties colours were worn last year by Paul Townend on 'I am Maximus', winning the Aintree Grand National in 2024. It will be hung with immense pride in our club house. Thank you JP and the McManus Families." 'End of an era for Irish racing' - Patrick Mullins on Thurles closure and future hopes for re-opening at Galway races The Aintree Grand National win had meant a lot to not just McManus but also Townsend as it was his first Grand National win as a jockey. The three-time Gold Cup winner said: "Gold Cups are Gold Cups but the Grand National is just different - I can't believe it. It's an unbelievable race, but he's an unbelievable horse. "It's a bit surreal to be honest. I ended up being first to the first fence, but when he started backing off, it wasn't a great start. "He got a little careful on the second circuit so I was trying to conserve as much energy as I could, but I didn't get a clear run. When I got him out, he was motoring. "I'm sure the ones in front weren't looking for me, but he's responded like I thought he would!"
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Punters soak up sun for Grand National finale
Thousands of racegoers have filed into Aintree in their finest outfits to soak up the sun ahead of the famous Grand National horse race. Colourful costumes, fascinators and sharps suits have dazzled over the past two days at the Merseyside racecourse for the three-day event, which this year is expected to draw more than 150,000 16:00 BST, all eyes will be drawn to the 34 runners and riders taking on 30 fences in the flagship steeplechase, the festival's showpiece event. An estimated 600 million people are expected to watch the event worldwide. Last year's winner I am Maximus, ridden by jockey Paul Townend, will be racing in the event, with hopes for a repeat of its 2024 have been enjoying the spring sunshine at the races, with the popular Ladies Day on Friday coming on the year's hottest day so far. The first Saturday race began at 13:20, with the last set of horses to bolt from the traps at 17: Wand, 62, from Donington in Lincolnshire, was at Aintree for his 15th Grand National and wore a shirt and tie adorned with said: "It's just a great day out. The atmosphere's fantastic and weather like this - can't beat it."I have a different shirt every year. This year I've done different because I've got a tie."I've told all my mates, because there's about 15 of us, I told all them 'shirt and tie this year' and they all think 'what's he going to wear?'." Emily Pickles, 20, and Saoirse Duffin, 19, said they were "so excited" after getting up at 06:00 to travel from Halifax in West Yorkshire with five friends for their first Grand Duffin: "I'm more here for the vibes and drinking with my friends but I will put a few bets on."Asked for any racing tips, Ms Pickles "Just have a bloody good time." Jess Jones, 35, from Oxton, Wirral, said the atmosphere and the dresses make Aintree added: "Sunshine, prosecco, what more do you need?" Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Grand National 2025: Your guide to three-day festival at Aintree
The Randox Grand National festival opens at Aintree racecourse than 150,000 racegoers are expected at the three-day event which is estimated to boost the economy by about £ racecourse, in Sefton, has hosted the festival since 1839, with Red Rum the most successful horse in Grand National history having won the steeplechase race three year, Saturday's main event is expected to be watched by 600m people worldwide, with 2024's Grand National winner I am Maximus getting the chance to defend his is a guide on how to get to the festival and when to see the racing. Getting there Racegoers heading to the iconic Aintree meeting are advised to plan ahead, use public transport where possible and leave plenty of is operating a special service during the festival and said there would be trains running to Aintree station every seven and a half travelling by bus, the 300, 310 & 345 services run regularly between Queen Square bus station and the Aintree will be operating a regular shuttle bus service from Liverpool city centre to Aintree Racecourse on all three days of the buses will depart from Elliot Street [Stop GE] and return shuttles will depart from Park Lane (opposite Aintree rail station) - return trips will be running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April those travelling by road to Aintree Racecourse, follow the A59 to Liverpool and the yellow/tourism signs as you approach the racecourse for routes to the car parks - which must be booked in Merseyside Police are advising people to use public transport as there are a number of road closures, diversions and traffic management measures in place and heavy traffic is expected on the A59. Opening Day - Thursday Gates open at 11:00 BST on Opening Day, which is often thought of as a day for true racing aficionados and can often be the place where new talent in the horse racing world will year, the 2023 champion hurdler Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, returns to action after falling in the big race at Cheltenham last month when trying to regain his Dawning, trained by Dan Skelton, is likely to go off favourite for the Bowl, with Spillane's Tower and Gaelic Warrior among and Lifetime Ambition are among hopefuls in the Foxhunters' Chase over the National race times are as follows:13:45: EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f14:20: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f14:55: Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f15:30: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f16:05: Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase 2m 5f16:40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase 2m17:15: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f Ladies Day - Friday Ladies Day, the second day of the annual meeting is all about glamour and style, alongside the horseracing on the course. The gates open at 10:30 BST - expect bright outfits and big hats as the crowd goes all will also see the Style Awards, where two best dressed racegoers will be crowned, along with the most sustainably dressed is the schedule for the second day of the Aintree meeting:13:45: Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f14:20: William Hill Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f14:55: Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m15:30: My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f16:05: Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase 2m 5f16:40: Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f17:15: Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle 2m ½f Grand National Day - Saturday Gates open at 10:00 BST on Saturday, but all eyes will be on the 34 runners and riders taking on 30 unique fences for the main event, which takes place at at 16: 2024 winner I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins, is among the leading contenders for owner JP McManus, along with Iroko and Perceval latter is trained by Gavin Cromwell, who also runs 2023 runner-up Vanillier and Stumptown, winner of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in year's Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles and bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800, are among other schedule for Grand National Day is as follows:13:20: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle 3m ½f13:55: Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f14:30: William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase 3m 1f15:05: Liverpool Hurdle 3m ½f16:00: Randox Grand National 4m 2½f17:00: Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m17:35: Weatherbys Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
