J.P. McManus is a name synonymous with horse racing, high-stakes business, and elite golf tournaments. With an estimated net worth of $1 billion as of 2025, the Irish billionaire has built an empire spanning investments, sports, and luxury real estate. From his dominance in horse racing to his strategic business ventures, McManus has cemented himself as a significant figure in both Irish and global business circles.
Beyond his wealth, McManus is known for his investments in Manchester United, his prestigious Pro-Am golf tournament, and his status as a tax exile—a subject of much debate. Let’s take an in-depth look at his career, wealth, controversies, and personal life.
Early Life and Background
John Patrick McManus, popularly known as J.P. McManus, was born on March 10, 1951, in Limerick, Ireland. As the eldest of five brothers, McManus grew up in Ballygar and later Ballysheedy, where he attended the Christian Brothers School.
His early exposure to business came through his father’s contracting company, where he worked before discovering a passion for betting and horse racing. By 21 years old, McManus had acquired a bookmaker’s license, marking the beginning of his successful career in gambling and investing.
J.P. McManus’s Business Empire
1. Currency Trading & Investment Firms
In 1994, McManus established Leicosa SA, a private family office in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on foreign exchange trading. His investments expanded globally, and he later became the director of Liberties Strategic Services, another financial firm operating in Bermuda and Switzerland.
McManus frequently collaborates with John Magnier and Dermot Desmond, two fellow Irish businessmen. Together, they own stakes in:
✅ Barchester Healthcare (one of the UK’s largest private healthcare providers)
✅ Ladbrokes (a major UK-based betting company)
✅ Luxury hotels and resorts, including Sandy Lane in Barbados, which he demolished and rebuilt for $450 million
One of McManus’s most significant property acquisitions was Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland, which is set to host the 2027 Ryder Cup.
J.P. McManus and Horse Racing: The Reigning Champion
McManus’s passion for horse racing is legendary. His signature green and yellow racing silks are instantly recognizable on the global stage. His first horse, Cill Dara, started his journey, but it was Mister Donovan’s victory at Cheltenham in 1982 that solidified his reputation.
As of 2025, McManus boasts 74 wins at the Cheltenham Festival, making him the most successful owner in festival history. Some of his most notable winning horses include:
🏆 Istabraq – Won four consecutive Festivals
🏆 Barracouda – Two-time Stayers’ Hurdle winner
🏆 Buveur D’Air – McManus’s 50th Cheltenham Festival winner
🏆 Synchronised – Won the Gold Cup in 2012 (tragically passed away later that year)
McManus owns multiple horse training and stud facilities, including Jackdaws Castle, the final resting place of Synchronised. His daughter, Sue Anne, manages two of his key stud farms—Martinstown Stud and Islanmore Stud.
McManus’s Connection to Manchester United
McManus has also played a significant role in Manchester United’s ownership history.
🔴 2000: Purchased 9.8 million shares for £20 million
🔴 2003: Clashed with Sir Alex Ferguson over the ownership of the racehorse Rock of Gibraltar
🔴 2005: Sold his shares during the Glazer family’s takeover of Manchester United
Despite stepping away from the club’s ownership, his investment marked one of the most influential financial moves in football history.
J.P. McManus Pro-Am Golf Tournament & Other Sports Ventures
A huge golf enthusiast, McManus founded the J.P. McManus Pro-Am Golf Tournament in 1990. The tournament:
✔ Raised €1.5 million in its first event at Limerick Golf Club
✔ Raised €31 million in 2005
✔ Set a record of €43.7 million in 2010
The tournament attracts golf legends like Tiger Woods and Davis Love III and is one of the biggest charity-driven golf events in the world.
McManus is also a competitive golfer, winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship twice alongside Padraig Harrington.
Tax Exile Controversy
Despite his massive influence in Ireland, McManus has faced widespread criticism for being a tax exile since moving to Switzerland in the 1990s.
The $17.4 Million IRS Case
- In 2012, McManus won $17.4 million gambling in the U.S.
- The IRS withheld $5.2 million in taxes
- McManus attempted to claim a tax refund under U.S.-Ireland agreements
- The IRS denied his claim, stating he was not a tax-paying Irish resident
This case sparked debates over his financial dealings and tax-free billionaire status.
Personal Life & Family
J.P. McManus has been married to his wife, Noreen, for decades. Together, they have three children and four grandchildren.
However, his family faced a tragedy in 2020 when his daughter-in-law, Emma McManus, passed away suddenly in Barbados at the age of 40. Her cause of death was ruled “cocaine-associated,” leading to a legal battle by her husband, John McManus, to challenge the coroner’s verdict.
Real Estate & Private Jets
McManus’s luxurious assets include:
🏡 €20 million mansion in Kilmallock (with a private lake, underground car park, and cinema)
🏡 €150 million estate in Barbados
🏡 €100 million residence in Chelsea, London
✈ Gulfstream G650 private jet (made an emergency landing in 2019)
🚁 Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter, painted in his racing silks colors
Final Thoughts: A Billionaire with an Unmatched Legacy
At 73 years old, J.P. McManus remains one of the most powerful figures in sports, business, and philanthropy. His $1 billion fortune is built on strategic investments, horse racing dominance, and elite sporting events.
While he continues to face criticism over his tax exile status, McManus’s impact on Irish sports, Manchester United, and global horse racing is undeniable.
Whether through owning champion racehorses, raising millions for charity, or playing golf with Tiger Woods, McManus’s legacy is one of unparalleled influence.
