Thu. Feb 6th, 2025

Celebrations as Local Trainer Eric McNamara wins the main event at the Limerick Races 

ByLeah Hogarty

Tuesday, 22 October 2024, 20:21
Back Row (L-R) Eric Mc Namara, Dylan Mc Namara, Brian Murphy, Michelle Coughlan, Caroline McNamara, Olivia McNamara, Harry McNamara, John Kiely. Front Row (L-R): Linda O’Donnell, Barry Mullins, Matthew Liston, Charlie Tuffy, Yolanda Baig. Photo by Michelle Coughlan of Down Syndrome Limerick
Rathkeale trainer Eric McNamara and a local Limerick charity benefitted from Real Steel’s fabulous front-running ride in The Munster National at the weekend  

Real Steel gave Limerick people plenty to celebrate in Peterswell on Sunday, October 20- winning the BoyleSports JT McNamara Munster National for local Rathkeale trainer Eric McNamara.  

Real Steel gave his connections a memorable day when he landed the Paddy Power Chase at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival back in 2022 as a 33/1 shot. He hadn’t impressed much since, having not placed in his last 8 starts. 

However, the 11-year-old bounced back to form with an impressive front-running ride from Danny Mullins who sported the navy-blue silks for owner Tadhg Moynihan. He found plenty of steam when chased down by Willie Mullins’ 13-8 favourite Horantzau D’airy to win by three and a half lengths. 

The win was extra special for McNamara, having not won this race since 1999. The race, on his home track, was named after a good friend of his- John Thomas McNamara. 

‘He rode a lot of winners for me in the past. Including my first ever winner at Cheltenham on a horse called Dancing Vision back in 1996, it was his first Cheltenham winner too.’ 

Eric said the front running ride and good ground suited Real Steel on the day. ‘My son, Conor studied the race and decided that starting from the front was the best way to go about it. We told Danny to make sure he was very prominent, we wanted to run him more forward than usual.’ 

6 horses in the race pulled out due to the condition of the ground, with some trainers claiming it would’ve been unsafe. ‘The ground suited us; we thought the ground was perfectly safe anyways. All the horses we ran over the 2 days came home safe and sound.’ 

Eric’s hopeful that their luck will continue for the rest of the season, ‘We might bring him to Cheltenham in November, but we’ll definitely go back to Leopardstown for the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas Time’. His odds will certainly be much shorter in Leopardstown this time than they were 2 years ago.  

Real Steel and his winning connections aren’t the only ones benefiting from the big win. Local charity, Down Syndrome Limerick also gained a sweepstake prize of € 20,000, with thanks to leading owner JP McManus.  The charity was one of 18 from the Mid-West drawn from a pool of 100 for a chance to win the top prize.  

Michelle Coughlan, who is Chairperson of Down Syndrome Limerick said they are still in shock at being recipients of this ‘wonderful prize’.  

‘We were so grateful to be selected among so many deserving charities in the final 18 and it really was the luck of the draw that we were paired with Eric McNamara and Danny Mullins.’ 

Michelle added that there were a lot of tears and screaming when Real Steel crossed the finish line.  

The money will be put to great use by the charity. ‘This money will go directly to supporting our family members with Down syndrome who attend for Speech and Language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational, adult education and much more at our premises in Castletroy. We support our members to achieve their fullest potential while raising awareness within our community.’