Eric McNamara Stable Tour Trainer Eric McNamara welcomed the racing press to his Beechmount stables, offering insights into his current roster of National Hunt horses and sharing plans for the upcoming season and in particular the Christmas racing festival at Limerick Racecourse. IrishRacing.com’s Emma Nagle was on hand to capture the latest updates from the seasoned trainer. McNamara began by reflecting on the recent success of Real Steel, who clinched the Munster National. "He's a horse that finished only seven lengths behind Al Boum Photo in a Gold Cup," McNamara noted, highlighting the horse's impressive racing record. Despite Reel Steel's advancing age, McNamara remains optimistic about his future races, particularly at the Paddy Power meeting. "He definitely likes nice ground, especially now he's getting old," he added. Top Horses The trainer provided updates on his stable stars and discussed the prospects of other notable horses such as Meehall and My Friend The Wind, emphasizing their potential in upcoming races. "We have a few nice horses that go there this year, and it's local to us, we love it," he said, expressing his enthusiasm for the Limerick Christmas Festival. Prize Money Concerns Addressing the broader racing landscape, McNamara voiced concerns about prize money in Ireland. "It does need a lift," he stated, comparing the situation to England, where prize money has seen a boost. He suggested that funds could be more evenly distributed to benefit a wider range of participants. Horse To Follow When asked to identify a horse for fans to follow, McNamara pointed to Mount Ferns. "If I had to pick one, maybe Mount Ferns," he suggested, drawing parallels to past successes with horses acquired from England. McNamara has shifted his strategy to purchasing experienced racehorses, a move that has proven fruitful. "We've been lucky enough to turn around quite a few of them," he remarked. Family and Legacy The visit also highlighted the McNamara family's deep-rooted involvement in horse racing. With his children Conor and Kate actively participating in the business, McNamara expressed pride in their contributions. "We've been lucky, you know, to have a lot of the same team for a long time," he said, underscoring the stable's strong sense of continuity and community. Watch the Video
