Yahoo Finance 'Legendary' Jockey JT McNamara Dies At 41
Irish amateur jockey JT McNamara, who was paralysed after a fall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, has died at the age of 41.
McNamara won four times at the Cheltenham Festival and was regarded by contemporaries as a jockey as good as virtually any professional.
After a fall in the 2013 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham, McNamara was paralysed from the neck down and required round-the-clock care.
It is understood that in recent days he suffered complications and spent time in hospital before returning home to Springfield Stables in Croom, County Limerick, where he died.
Limerick point-to-point horseracing regional secretary Frankie Ward, who knew McNamara from an early age, called the jockey a "legend in his own lifetime".
She told Ireland Newstalk radio: "He was a hero, there's no doubt about it.
"We will all miss him desperately."
McNamara had a record at Cheltenham with 16 wins at the track, including four at the festival.
His four Cheltenham Festival wins came on board Rith Dubh in the 2002 National Hunt Chase, on SpotThedifference in the 2005 cross-country chase, on Drombeag in the 2007 Foxhunter Chase and on Teaforthree in the 2012 National Hunt Chase.
McNamara won on SpotThedifference at Cheltenham seven times.
AP McCoy, 20-time champion jockey, recalled being in the Cheltenham weighing room when news of McNamara's accident emerged.
"I remember looking over and seeing his clothes hanging up and thinking he'll never be back in here, and that's not something I'll ever forget," McCoy told Irish broadcaster RTE.
He added: "It's a very sad day for everyone in racing, especially his wife Caroline - she's a very tough and amazing woman.
"He was a remarkable man.
"He was a little bit like me - he could be grumpy enough at times ... but was very good-humoured.
"He was fantastic, a brilliant rider.
"I said this morning that watching his ride on Rith Dubh at the Cheltenham Festival was as good as you'll ever see."
