“I want to live every day like it’s my last and someday I’ll be right'

JP McManus owns hundreds of thoroughbreds and their trainers. Chantry House brought up his 4,000th winner as an owner last season. Mc manus started betting on horses 50 years ago.

McManus has owned some of the greatest horses to ever jump an obstacle. He bought a palatial family home and estate with his wife Noreen and raised their three children there. Limerick is his county. He is a team sponsor of Limeridians. Noel Earlie, the former Principal of CBS Sexton Street, says he was a pupil there and now he supports the annual scholarship scheme.

McManus was born in Dublin and grew up in Limerick. He was chairman of South Liberties GAA club for three years. Cill Dara was the first horse to be bought in the green and gold colours. His father died in 1978 at the age of 63. He wants to live every day like it's his last and someday he'll be right. The photos of him on the golf course and the race track are everywhere.

McManus was addicted to gambling but the introduction of a betting tax saved him from addiction. He changed his approach and moved into bookmaking at 21. His mother Bridie played cards and loved a bet and she gave him money to restart on the rails after he went broke a couple of times in the early years. Mister Donovan gave McManas his first Cheltenham Festival winner in 1982 and kept him afloat with a £250,000 bet.

Istabraq has won many races, including Grand Nationals, Gold Cups, Champion Hurdles and many more. He has been linked with coups in the past. His mother died in 2003, but she saw all of Istabra's achievements. He wants to live every day like it's his last and someday he'll be right.

Istabraq is a Cheltenham champion hurdler. Timmy Hyde bought the horse for him. John Durkan died a few days before Istabrak won his first Irish Champion Hurdle in 1998. McManus has had many tough days as a racehorse owner. He lost Synchronised at Aintree in 2012 and Mick Fitzgerald in a fall. Last year his family was hit by the death of his daughter-in-law Emma.

McManus has been running a charity pro-am for many years. He had a cancer scare in 2009 but has never had any problems since. McManu has sponsored Limerick for years and was pleased to see Shane Lowry enter into a similar arrangement with Offaly recently. He prefers Cheltenham to be four days long. The GAA schedule didn't allow for a pro am with Limeridians.

Riding for trainer Edward O'Grady was a less than pleasurable experience for him. He is unlikely to become a football club owner after his time in the Manchester United boardroom. Alex Ferguson and he are on speaking terms. He would like to meet Alex at the races. His brother Gerry is a Manchester Utd fan. The last time he rode a horse was in Hereford in 2004.

McManus is a regular on the newspaper rich lists and his wealth is estimated at around €1bn. He has no plans to retire any time soon. His business interests mean he doesn't see as much hurling as he would like. McManu is also a loving grandparent to nine grandchildren.

John Patrick McManus is pondering on some mathematical matter.

John Kiely wants to bet on the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027. He also bets on Chantry House's route to the Grand National. The abridged version of this article is published in the Irish Racing Yearbook 2023 (€32.95/£29.50)