Racing turns out in force to pay respects to 'Prince of Manister'

Caroline McNamara received a standing ovation from the large attendance when she spoke movingly at the end of the funeral mass for her husband John Thomas in St Michael's Church in Manister parish County Limerick yesterday morning.

Manister is in the middle of County Limerick's horse and hunting country with many stud farms, training yards and stables in the surrounding area and the small church was packed to capacity.

Many hundreds more gathered outside, as family and friends, including a strong representation from across the racing community, gathered to say a final farewell to the heroic and hugely popular amateur rider, who died at his home outside the village of Croom on Monday at the age of 41.