JT McNamara dead: Jockey paralysed in 2013 Cheltenham fall dies aged 41

McNamara was paralysed following a fall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013

McNamara was one of racing's best amateur jockeys (Getty)

Former leading amateur rider JT McNamara has died aged 41.

McNamara was paralysed following a fall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, when he fractured two vertebrae in his neck when Galaxy Rock came down at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Renowned as one of the best amateur riders the sport has ever seen, McNamara partnered over 600 winners during his career, including famous Cheltenham Festival successes aboard the likes of Teaforthree and Spot Thedifference.

Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer for the Irish Turf Club, told Press Association Sport: "I've just spoken to his wife Caroline and I can confirm JT passed away peacefully during the night.

"A press release on behalf of the Turf Club will be released shortly."

McNamara enjoyed many of his big-race successes in the colours of owner JP McManus, riding Rith Dubh to victory in the famous green and gold colours in the 2002 National Hunt Chase at the Festival and partnering Spot Thedifference in the 2005 Cross Country Chase.

He also wore McManus' silks when riding Drombeag to win the 2007 Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham and the owner's racing manager, Frank Berry, hailed McNamara's fortitude.

He said: "It's so sad and all our thoughts go out to Caroline and the rest of the family.

"A nicer fellow you couldn't wish to meet. He was in great form up until maybe a week ago and he's definitely been a fighter. He fought a great fight.

"The boss and him and myself had so many great days together. He was a great rider, but he also did a lot of pre-training of a lot of our younger horses and was a great man to tell you whether they were good or no good."

"JT had battled very bravely for the last few years of his life. It was a very, very tough time for him and his family and to have lost him at this stage is shocking.

&#13; <p>Andrew Coonan, secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association</p>&#13;

McNamara was initially treated in Britain following the Cheltenham fall that left him paralysed from the neck down before being transferred to the spinal unit of the Mater Hospital, Dublin and eventually moving to the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport.

He eventually returned to his County Limerick home last June and had begun to establish a training operation at his Croom yard, although he required constant care.

Andrew Coonan, secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association and a former amateur himself, paid tribute to McNamara's bravery in the face of such serious injury.

He said: "JT had battled very bravely for the last few years of his life. It was a very, very tough time for him and his family and to have lost him at this stage is shocking.

"I rode against JT and watched him, and he was an incredibly accomplished rider, one of the best.

"It just serves as a reminder of the dangers the riders put themselves in for our sport. These things don't just happen to the less well-known jockeys, they happen to the best as well."

McNamara is survived by his wife Caroline and children Dylan, Harry and Olivia.