JP McMANUS has splashed the cash on a horse he hopes will bring him Cheltenham Festival glory in 2025. The billionaire Irish owner has bought Cheltenham Pertemps qualifier winner The Wallpark from Francis Mangan. The six-year-old gelding won the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle qualifier by two and half lengths at Cheltenham in October.
It is not known for how much the Limerick GAA financier spent on the horse, whose Pertemps victory was its fourth in a row. The Wallpark was previously owned and trained by Vincent Ward, and has won seven races since switching to Gordon Elliott 's stable. Speaking after The Wallpark's victory at Galway in September, Elliott said: "He has his own way of doing it, but has an engine and is a grand honest horse.
" The 73-year-old has already some of the most storied horses - including three-time Cheltenham Champions Hurdle winner Istabraq and Grand National winner Minella Times. He is also a major financial backer of Limerick GAA , and is credited for helping to fuel their All-Ireland hurling four in-a-row between 2019 and 2023. He is also a former owner of Manchester United prior to the club's takeover by the Glazer Family in 2006.
Meanwhile, Adare Manor hosts the annual JP McManus Pro Am. The illustrious golf tournament attracts some of the biggest names both inside and outside of the sport. Amongst those who are regular attendees are Tiger Woods , Rory McIlroy , Shane Lowry , pop star Niall Horan and a copious amount of others.
Irish trainer End.
