TOP Irish trainer Enda Bolger led the tributes to JT McNamara after the former leading amateur rider died aged 41.

McNamara was paralysed following a fall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, when he fractured two vertebrae in his neck after Gloucestershire racehorse Galaxy Rock, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, came down at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

O'Neill tweeted: "We're devastated at Jackdaws to hear of the passing of JT, the greatest horseman I've ever known."

Renowned as one of the best amateur riders the sport has ever seen, McNamara partnered more than 600 winners during his career, including four winners at the Cheltenham Festival aboard Rith Dubh (2002 National Hunt Chase), Spot Thedifference (2005 Cross Country Chase), Drombeag (2007 Foxhunter Chase) and Teaforthree (2012 National Hunt Chase).

McNamara enjoyed a special relationship with the Bolger-trained Spot Thedifference, steering the popular gelding to 11 of his 14 victories under Rules, including seven races at Cheltenham.

Bolger told Press Association Sport: "It's a sad day. He fought a great battle.

"He was very unassuming and just a great person to have anything to do with. We had a lot of great days together and those are what I'll remember him for.

"He was an incredible horseman. I would say he was more of a horseman than a jockey."

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer for the Irish Turf Club, confirmed McNamara passed away peacefully during Monday night, just hours after the first day of the Galway Festival, another meeting where he enjoyed success.

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

"He had an unbelievable record in Cheltenham," added Bolger. "I think the Kim Muir was the only amateur race he didn't manage to win.

"He was a great guy and a great jockey and he'll be sorely missed.

"I know the last three years have been hell for him and his family and if there is a heaven, he'll be the first one in, that's for sure."

Legendary 20-times champion jockey Sir Tony McCoy recalled being in the weighing room at Cheltenham when news of McNamara's accident emerged.

"I remember looking over and seeing his clothes hanging up and thinking 'he'll never be back in here', and that's not something I'll ever forget," McCoy told RTE Radio.

"It's a very sad day for everyone in racing especially his wife Caroline. She's a very tough and amazing woman.

"He was a remarkable man. He was a little bit like me – he could be grumpy enough at times, but was very good humoured.

"He was fantastic, a brilliant rider. I said this morning that watching his ride on Rith Dubh at the Cheltenham Festival was as good as you'll ever see."

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.