EPSOM Derby winning jockey Emmet McNamara (2020 – Serpentine), Rathkeale, was a key member of Team Ireland which finished third at an Inter-Celtics Athletics Race over Trail de Guerlédan in Brittany, France.
McNamara was an increbile eighth overall, out of a field of 1,700.
He is attached to Dundrum Athletics Club in Tipperary.
Since his last ride in 2023, he made the transition from Ballydoyle to Coolmore where he is accumulating work experience with a view to becoming a qualified accountant and can be seen regularly on RTÉ doing punditry work.
“The Derby I was lucky to win was probably different to any other one (during Covid restrictions), in that there was no one there!,” a modest McNamara told the Racing Post.
“None of the pomp, ceremony and razzmatazz was there and there was an eerie silence, a very different atmosphere to what was there on Saturday.”
He continued: “I do a bit of work with RTÉ and a few bits with Horse Racing Ireland but my main job is with Coolmore. I finished the accountancy exams while I was riding so I’m in the bloodstock and finance side of things in Coolmore.”
“I needed to do three years’ experience with it and have two years done before I can call myself fully chartered. I’m still riding out a little bit. I’m living in Carlow so if I’m around at the weekends, I go up to Conor Hoban with Beechlea Bloodstock and I’d be home in (Rathkeale) Limerick some weekends where I give a hand with Dad (Eric, jumps trainer).”
John Kinsella, Southill, was a mentor with Team Ireland.