JP McManus is thought to be a billionaire (Image: Getty)
JP McManus will hope to bolster his billionaire net worth at this week’s . The 74-year-old Irish businessman, who previously owned a stake in , entered this week’s event with 78 race winners to his name. He boosted that tally to 79 on the first day of the Festival when Puturhandstogether got up in the Fred Winter – and he has plenty more chances throughout the week, including two in Friday’s Gold Cup.
One of Ireland’s wealthiest individuals, it is estimated that McManus has a new worth surpassing £1.68billion. After initially kicking off his career as a bookmaker in greyhound racing, it is thought that he has amassed a chunk of his wealth as a private foreign exchange trader. However, he has also owned and invested in a number of other sectors, including healthcare and hospitality.
He also owns the spectacular Adare Manor golf course, which is set to play host to the 2027 – which includes his prestigious JP McManus Pro-Am that has attracted a wealth of the golf world’s top players like and . Elsewhere, it is reported that McManus is also a big supporter of the Gaelic Athletic Association, having recently donated £814,000 ( €1million) to each GAA county board.
And despite being a gambling man over the years, McManus has admitted that he doesn’t enjoy a punt quite the same nowadays. Speaking to the Racing Post, he explained: “Do you know, I don’t really bet like I used to. In those days I always wanted to be in the fast lane.
“I was headstrong. I’ve done a lot of foolish things, but as you get older, you become more mature. I have a more considered approach now. Back then I used to have my mind made up about things. That’s dangerous. When you have your mind made up, it means you can’t change your mind. These days I would delay making a decision until one has to be made.
JP McManus has a number of entries at Cheltenham Festival (Image: Getty)
“Cheltenham is coming up, but I think I’ve only had the one small bet on a horse in the bumper, just something that would pay my hotel bill for the week. It’s hard for me to get on, anyway. It can frustrate you a bit, not being able to get on, but I get so much pleasure just from watching my horses. If I back them, it’s a bonus.”
While McManus has stripped back on staking, his collection of horses has continued to grow over the years. On top of horses like Majborough, who finished third in Tuesday’s Arkle, and Jonbon – which is favoured to win Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase – McManus also has two runners in with a shot of clinching Friday’s Gold Cup.
Inothewayurthinkin will be ridden by Mark Walsh in the main event of the week, while Jack Kenneddy will hope to guide Corbetts Cross to victory. But they’ll have to upset the odds to defy Galopin Des Champs, who is looking for a hat-trick of successes in the race for Willie Mullins.