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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."