JP McManus, a legendary gambler with a history of success at Cheltenham, is back with a formidable team of horses aiming for glory at the 2024 Festival. From Jonbon to Majborough and The New Lion, McManus has invested heavily in potential champions and is poised to dominate the racing world once again.
JP McManus, a renowned gambler who famously won $17 million in a backgammon game, is set to make his mark once again at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival . With an impressive 78 victories to his name, McManus holds the record for most wins by an owner in the history of the national hunt festival. His passion for horse racing continues to burn brightly, as evidenced by his substantial investments in new talent.
This year, McManus boasts over 60 entries for the Festival, including the favorite in 13 of the 28 races scheduled across the four days.One of his most promising contenders is Majborough, entered in the Arkle Novices' Chase, the second race of the Festival. Purchased from France and trained by Willie Mullins, the five-year-old gelding achieved notable success last season by winning the Triumph Hurdle. He has continued to impress in his chase debut, securing victories in a beginners chase at Fairyhouse and a Grade 1 race at the Dublin Racing Festival. With Nicky Henderson's Sir Gino ruled out due to injury, Majborough is the odds-on favorite to secure McManus' first win of the week.McManus is renowned for his willingness to invest heavily in potential equine superstars. In 2020, he made a record-breaking purchase of £570,000 for Jonbon, a full-brother to former Arkle winner Douvan, after the latter's impressive point-to-point victory. Even seasoned investors like McManus have experienced setbacks in their quest for Festival winners. However, Jonbon has already repaid his hefty price tag, winning over £1 million in prize money and 17 out of his 20 races. Despite this impressive record, Jonbon is yet to taste victory at Cheltenham. Bookmakers currently favor him to break this drought. McManus's spending hasn't stopped there; he reportedly shelled out over €1 million to acquire The New Lion, a promising gelding trained by Dan Skelton. This unbeaten four-year-old showcased his potential by winning the Challow Novices' Hurdle last December.Beyond Jonbon and The New Lion, McManus has a diverse stable of horses poised for success at Cheltenham. Last year, he purchased Corbetts Cross, who triumphed in the National Hunt Chase, and is now targeting the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He has also acquired The Wallpark, a progressive hurdler, with the Stayers' Hurdle in mind. Furthermore, Aqua Force, a dominant winner of a Gowran Park bumper, has joined Willie Mullins' yard with aspirations of competing in the Champion Bumper. McManus's success in the Paddy Power Mares' Chase has been particularly noteworthy, with his horses claiming victory in the last three consecutive renewals. This year, Dinoblue, who finished runner-up to Limerick Lace in 2024 and demonstrated a return to form at Naas, is his favorite for the race.While McManus has achieved significant success in graded races, his dominance in Cheltenham handicaps is equally impressive. He has secured ten victories in these races over the past five years, with many attracting significant betting interest. The addition of three new handicaps to this year's Festival is likely to further enhance the chances of Team McManus. Kopeck De Mee, a French recruit, is one of their leading contenders in the handicaps. This gelding has attracted considerable support in the ante-post markets and has been entered in the Coral Cup, County Hurdle, and Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. However, Kopeck De Mee is just one of many horses that McManus will be relying on to make their mark at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
JP Mcmanus Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing Jonbon Majborough The New Lion Racing Manager Frank Berry Champions Bumper Stayers' Hurdle Paddy Power Mares' Chase Handicaps
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