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Draft:John Joseph Hanlon (racehorse trainer)

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  • Comment: written promotionally. cut down on the WP:PEACOCK terms, especially because he seems to have been involved in many scandals? and try to write more neutrally, also too many sources too close to Hanlon PARAKANYAA (talk) 02:39, 12 July 2025 (UTC)

John Joseph "Shark" Hanlon is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer based at his yard in Fenniscourt,], County Carlow.[1][2] A charismatic and popular figure in the sport, Hanlon has gained widespread recognition for his ability to source and train high-class racehorses from modest purchase prices, a reputation defined by the international Grade 1 successes of Hewick and Skyace.[3][4][5] His training style is noted for its ambitious international campaigns, which have yielded major victories in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[5][6] Hanlon's career has been characterized by both high-profile triumphs and a significant disciplinary suspension from the IHRB in 2024, from which he returned to training in early 2025.[7][8]

John Joseph Hanlon
Born
Kilkenny, Ireland
PartnerRachel O’Neill
ChildrenPaddy Hanlon Sean Hanlon
Websitewww.sharkhanlonracing.ie

Early Life and Career Beginnings

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Family Background and Formative Years

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John Hanlon was raised on the border between County Kilkenny and County Carlow, and though his postal address is Carlow, he identifies as a "Kilkenny man".[9] He comes from a family deeply rooted in agriculture rather than racing; his grandfather, his father, and Hanlon himself were all cattle dealers, a trade he entered at the age of 16.[9][10]

His introduction to the world of horse racing was a product of his environment. The Hanlon family were neighbours to the Mullins family, Ireland's most famous racing dynasty, and he went to school with the Mullins sons, including future champion trainers Willie Mullins and Tony Mullins, and horse transporter George Mullins.[9][10] This proximity provided an early and immersive exposure to the sport that would later define his career.

Origin of the "Shark" Nickname

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Hanlon acquired his distinctive nickname, "Shark," at the age of 18 during a hurling match in his native Kilkenny.[11] By his own admission, he was not a particularly skillful player but was "big and awkward" and effective as a full forward.[9][10] During one final, he caught several high balls and passed them to his teammates to score crucial goals. Watching from the sidelines, the legendary Kilkenny hurler] reportedly grew frustrated and shouted, "Would someone cut the head off that shark and we can all go home now?!".[10][12] The name stuck. After his team won the final, Hanlon was celebrated back in his hometown of Paulstown as "the shark," and the moniker has been synonymous with him ever since.[10]

Transition to Horse Racing

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Hanlon's first direct involvement in horse ownership came through a partnership with his school friend George Mullins. Together, they owned a horse named The Crazy Bishop, whom Hanlon described as having "no straight legs" and being "as crooked as the day was long".[9] Despite his conformation flaws, the horse proved to be a talented runner, winning six or seven races, including the prestigious Waterford Crystal Chase at] around 1997.[5][9] This early success with an unpromising animal was a formative experience that foreshadowed his future training philosophy.

After this initial taste of success, Hanlon's path into professional racing was gradual and built on a practical, hands-on education within the Mullins operation. He worked for George Mullins for a year, driving a horse lorry to England, a role that gave him exposure to the logistics of the sport and the sales scene.[9][10] During one trip to], he purchased a horse for £600-£700 and later sold it for a profit to esteemed trainer], demonstrating an early eye for a bargain.[9][10] He subsequently spent time working at Tony Mullins's yard, where he met his partner, Rachel O'Neill, who was a work rider there.[9][10] This period served as a de facto apprenticeship, providing him with an invaluable, ground-level understanding of the daily management, training regimes, and business of a professional racing stable.

The definitive catalyst for his career change came in 2001 with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland. The crisis severely impacted the Irish agricultural sector and "nearly shut down" the Hanlon family's cattle business for over a year.[9][12] Faced with this economic disruption, Hanlon turned his focus to horses, beginning by pre-training a few point-to-pointers from two rented cattle sheds near Gowran.[9]

Training Career

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Establishment and Early Success

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Hanlon's training operation began modestly. His first horse, Wolseley Lady, won a point-to-point and subsequently a bumper at Tramore on New Year's Day 2005. As he did not yet hold a public training licence, the mare ran under the name of his former mentor, Tony Mullins.[9]

He officially obtained his training licence from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board in 2006, and his first winner under his own name came on 9 April 2007, when Shaimaa, ridden by Patrick Mullins, won at].[13] The following year, in 2008, Hanlon fully committed to his new career, retiring from the cattle trade and converting more of the family's sheds at his yard in Fenniscourt, Bagenalstown, into stables.[9][10] The yard has since grown to accommodate a string of around 50 to 60 horses.[9]

Training Philosophy and Reputation

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Hanlon has cultivated a reputation as a trainer who can unearth high-potential horses for a fraction of the prices paid by the sport's powerhouse owners and trainers.[5][14] This "giant-killer" image is central to his public persona and business model. His core philosophy is guided by a piece of advice from the legendary trainer Paddy Mullins: "if a horse can't walk, he can't run".[15] Hanlon has repeatedly stated that a horse's walk is the primary attribute he looks for when assessing a potential purchase, valuing it above pedigree or physical perfection.[10][16]

His success with bargain buys is not just a collection of feel-good stories; it is the fundamental pillar of his operation. As a smaller trainer, Hanlon has openly acknowledged the financial pressures of competing in modern National Hunt racing, noting that he often has to sell his most promising young point-to-point winners to fund the yard.[14][17] This business reality means he cannot consistently retain expensive, well-bred prospects. Consequently, his ability to find and develop undervalued horses like Hewick and Skyace serves as the primary marketing tool for his stable. These high-profile successes demonstrate his training ability and attract new owners and syndicates, particularly those without the budget for six-figure purchases, creating a sustainable business model in a hyper-competitive industry.[14]

Hanlon is also known for his ambitious and adventurous campaigning of his stable stars, frequently travelling them to major festivals and races in the UK, the United States, and France.[5][6]

Career Statistics

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The following table, with data sourced from Horse Racing Ireland, summarises John Hanlon's training statistics in Ireland since he was first licensed.

Season Code Runs 1st 2nd 3rd Total Prize Money (€)
2024/2025 National Hunt 270 10 17 19 192,515
2023/2024 National Hunt 314 12 11 17 232,050
2022/2023 National Hunt 238 6 15 13 352,350
2021/2022 National Hunt 308 10 15 8 143,040
2020/2021 National Hunt 248 23 24 19 338,415
2019/2020 National Hunt 132 6 16 13 124,738
2018/2019 National Hunt 189 12 14 11 176,388
2017/2018 National Hunt 133 3 12 11 85,175
2016/2017 National Hunt 185 20 12 15 304,088
2015/2016 National Hunt 162 10 15 15 197,545
2014/2015 National Hunt 193 22 15 20 277,580
2013/2014 National Hunt 237 10 17 16 165,664
2012/2013 National Hunt 294 9 14 29 180,881
2011/2012 National Hunt 241 23 16 21 371,588
2010/2011 National Hunt 285 24 19 16 350,984
2009/2010 National Hunt 292 14 17 22 268,935
2008/2009 National Hunt 186 16 15 8 248,830
2007/2008 National Hunt 88 7 3 4 71,430
2006/2007 National Hunt 10 1 0 0 8,888
2024 Flat 23 1 0 0 35,795
2023 Flat 41 1 1 2 34,775
2022 Flat 28 1 3 0 18,930
Statistics sourced from Horse Racing Ireland and are complete up to the end of the 2024/25 National Hunt season and 2024 Flat season. Prize money is for races in Ireland only.[13]

Notable Horses

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Hewick: The People's Champion

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Hewick is the horse that has come to define John Hanlon's training career, embodying his "rags-to-riches" ethos. A bay gelding by Virtual, Hewick was purchased by Hanlon for owner T.J. McDonald for just €850 (approximately £800) at the Goresbridge sales in 2017.[18][19][20] Hanlon was drawn to the horse's "lovely walk," and has noted that his diminutive stature may have deterred other potential buyers.[6][16][20]

Hewick's early career gave little indication of his future stardom. He was unsuccessful in three starts in point-to-points, with form figures of Unseated Rider, Fell, and Fell.[6] Hanlon has remarked that had Hewick shown early ability and won a point-to-point, he would almost certainly have been sold to keep the yard financially viable.[15][17] His true potential began to emerge over longer distances, with a victory in the Durham National at] in October 2021 marking a significant turning point.[6][21][circular reference]

A Breakout Year in 2022

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Hewick's 2022 campaign elevated him and his trainer to international prominence.

  • ]: In April, he travelled to] and won the prestigious Grade 3 Bet365 Gold Cup, a historic end-of-season handicap chase. Starting at odds of 16/1, he won by eight lengths, securing a first prize of over £90,000.[16][21]
  • Galway Plate: In July, he contested one of Ireland's most valuable handicap chases, the Galway Plate. In a dramatic and incident-packed race, Hewick, ridden by Jordan Gainford, was leading when he was severely hampered by the loose horse Exelerator Express, who carried him across the track. Gainford showed remarkable horsemanship to keep the partnership intact, and Hewick showed immense courage to hold on and win the €270,000 race.[17][22]
  • American Grand National: In October, Hanlon embarked on an ambitious international trip, sending Hewick to], for the Grade 1 American Grand National. He produced a dominant performance, winning the $250,000 race by 11 ½ lengths.[18][23] The victory was highly emotional for Hanlon, who dedicated it to 13-year-old Jack de Bromhead, the son of fellow trainer], who had died tragically in a pony racing accident weeks earlier at an event organised by Hanlon.[19][23] For his victory, Hewick was crowned the 2022] at the Eclipse Awards.[21][24]

2023 King George VI Chase

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On December 26th, 2023, Hewick achieved his most significant victory in the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.[20][25][circular reference] Ridden for the first time by Gavin Sheehan, Hewick was outpaced for much of the race and became detached from the main group. He traded at an in-running high of 550-1 on betting exchanges.[26][27] The entire complexion of the race changed dramatically two fences from the finish when the leader,], stumbled on landing and unseated his rider, badly hampering the chasing pack.[26] As the new leaders,] and Allaho, battled for the lead, Sheehan galvanised Hewick, who produced a powerful late run on the wide outside to sweep past them in the final 100 yards and claim a remarkable last-to-first victory.[26][27] Sheehan later admitted, "If it wasn't the King George, I probably would have pulled him up".[27]

Skyace: The First Grade 1

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Before Hewick's heroics, it was the mare Skyace who provided Hanlon with his breakthrough success at the highest level. Hanlon purchased Skyace for just £600 at the Ascot sale in November 2019, after she had been placed in three bumpers for trainer Willie Mullins.[5][28][29] She was bought for the Birdinthehand Syndicate, a group of owners that includes members based in Ireland and Dubai.[28]

After winning at Grade 3 and Listed level, Skyace was aimed at the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at] on Easter Sunday, 4 April 2021.[13][30][circular reference] Ridden by Jody McGarvey, she travelled strongly and, after a sustained battle up the home straight, held off the challenge of the Willie Mullins-trained Gauloise to win by half a length.[29][31] The victory was a landmark moment for Hanlon, representing the first Grade 1 winner of his training career.[13][29] He described it as "one of my best moments," adding that the success proved that smaller owners and syndicates could compete at the top of the sport.[29]

Other Key Horses

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  • Hidden Cyclone: An early flagbearer for the stable, Hidden Cyclone was a high-class and consistent performer who won multiple Graded races, including several at Grade 2 level. He was also placed in Grade 1s, most notably when finishing second in the] at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.[9][10] He was instrumental in establishing Hanlon's reputation as a trainer capable of competing at major festivals. Hanlon also orchestrated a fitting end to jockey Andrew McNamara's career, arranging for him to ride Most Honourable to victory at Tramore as a thank you for his successful partnership with Hidden Cyclone.[9]
  • Alfa Beat: Provided Hanlon with one of his first major handicap chase victories when winning the prestigious Guinness Kerry National at] in 2011.[13]
  • Luska Lad: Another important Graded-race winner for the yard, Luska Lad helped maintain the stable's momentum during its formative years. After his professional career, he was given back to the Hanlon family and served as a schoolmaster for Hanlon's sons, Paddy and Sean, in point-to-points.[9]

2024–2025 IHRB Suspension

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The Incident and Investigation

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In June 2024, Hanlon's career faced a significant challenge following an incident involving the transportation of a deceased horse. The horse, which had died in a paddock, was being transported in an open-top trailer towed by Hanlon's branded horsebox, which featured "#TeamHewick" livery.[32][33] During the journey on public roads, the tarpaulin covering the carcass became displaced, leaving the body visible to members of the public.[7][33]

A member of the public filmed the trailer, and the video was widely circulated on social media, leading to significant public criticism and media attention.[7][32][33] The timing of the incident was particularly sensitive, coming just days after a high-profile] documentary investigating equine welfare and the fate of retired racehorses, in which Hanlon had been mentioned.[33][34]

Ruling and Appeal

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The IHRB launched an investigation and charged Hanlon with a breach of Rule 272(i), which pertains to acting in a manner "prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct, or good reputation of the sport of racing".[7][32]

Following a hearing, the IHRB Referrals Committee found Hanlon guilty of "gross negligence" with "high culpability".[7][32] The committee's report stated that inadequate measures had been taken to secure the tarpaulin and that the incident had caused significant reputational damage to racing.[7][33] In September 2024, the committee imposed a 10-month suspension of his training licence and a fine of €2,000.[7][32] An unannounced inspection of Hanlon's yard conducted during the investigation found no other welfare issues.[7][32]

Hanlon appealed the severity of the sanction. In October 2024, the IHRB Appeals Body reduced the suspension from ten months to six. In its decision, the Appeals Body drew a crucial distinction between Hanlon's actions and those in other high-profile welfare cases, stating that his conduct was a result of a high degree of negligence rather than a "deliberate and wilful" act of disrespect to the animal.[35][36]

Aftermath and Return

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Hanlon's suspension commenced on 1 December 2024.[35][8] To ensure the welfare and continued careers of the horses in his care, he arranged for fellow trainer Tara Lee Cogan to temporarily take over the licence at his Fenniscourt yard.[1][37] This allowed stable star Hewick and other horses to continue their campaigns.[8] During this period, Hanlon expressed his disappointment with the ruling and voiced concern for his staff and their families.[38][39] He also acknowledged the significant public support he received, which he said was "the only thing that is keeping me going".[38][40]

The Referrals Committee later agreed to suspend the final three months of his sentence on the condition of good behaviour. Hanlon's licence was officially restored on 14 February 2025, and he was eligible to have runners in his name again from 1 March 2025, following a mandatory 14-day waiting period for horses to be registered in his care.[8]

Personal Life

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John Hanlon's training operation is a family affair. His partner is Rachel O'Neill, whom he met when they both worked for trainer Tony Mullins.[9][10] They have two sons, Paddy and Sean, who are both actively involved in the yard.[9] Paddy Hanlon is a professional jockey who rides out for the stable and has ridden winners for his father, including a notable victory aboard Hewick in a hurdle race a in March 2025.[6][21][39]Whilst his other son Sean, manages his social media pages.

Major Wins

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Year Horse Race Country Grade/Class
2023 Hewick King George VI Chase United Kingdom Grade 1
2023 Hewick Oaksey Chase United Kingdom Grade 2
2022 Hewick American Grand National United States Grade 1
2022 Hewick Galway Plate Ireland Grade A
2022 Hewick Bet365 Gold Cup United Kingdom Grade 3
2021 Skyace Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final Ireland Grade 1
2011 Alfa Beat Kerry National Ireland Grade A

References

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  1. ^ a b "Shark Hanlon announces new licence holder for his yard". Racing TV. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  2. ^ "Homepage". John Hanlon Racing. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  3. ^ "Shark Hanlon On Hewick's American Grand National Success & Future Plans". YouTube. Racing TV. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  4. ^ "John Hanlon". Eventmasters. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Mottershead, Lee (19 July 2024). "Bargain buys, Grade 1 wins and big dreams - five reasons why Shark Hanlon has built up a huge following". Racing Post. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Jones, Pippa (25 February 2024). "'You could travel the world to find a horse like him': meet the £800 bargain bidding for Gold Cup and Grand National glory". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "TDN Europe" (PDF). Thoroughbred Daily News. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  8. ^ a b c d "Shark Hanlon poised for training return following suspension". ITV Racing. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "About Shark". John Hanlon Racing. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "John 'Shark' Hanlon Tells Hilarious Origin Story of His Nickname". BoyleSports. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  11. ^ "About Shark". John Hanlon Racing. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  12. ^ a b "Why is he called Shark Hanlon?". Betfair Community. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Trainer Details: John Joseph Hanlon". Horse Racing Ireland. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  14. ^ a b c Groome, Ronan (29 April 2022). "THE BIG INTERVIEW: John 'Shark' Hanlon". The Irish Field. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  15. ^ a b "The Tote Galway Plate worth €270,000 was won by a horse purchased for €800 at the Galway races on Wednesday". The Irish Post. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  16. ^ a b c Jones, Melissa (23 April 2022). "Shark Hanlon reveals the secret to buying £800 bargain Hewick after Bet365 Gold Cup win". The Mirror. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  17. ^ a b c "Hewick prevails in dramatic Galway Plate". The42.ie. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  18. ^ a b King, Byron (15 October 2022). "Europe's Hewick Captures U.S. Grand National". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  19. ^ a b "'This is for Jack' – Hanlon dedicates American Grand National win to deBromhead". The42.ie. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  20. ^ a b c "ANOTHER BIG-RACE SUCCESS FOR THE BARGAIN HORSE HEWICK". The Jockey Club. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  21. ^ a b c d "Hewick (horse)". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  22. ^ "Horse In Profile: Hewick". Irishracing.com. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  23. ^ a b "Europe's Hewick Captures U.S. Grand National". BloodHorse. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  24. ^ Sheerin, Brian (27 January 2023). "'The Biggest Night Of My Life': Hanlon Holds Back Tears At Eclipse Awards". Thoroughbred Daily News. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  25. ^ "King George VI Chase". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  26. ^ a b c Rennie, Maddy (26 December 2023). "How Hewick seized the King George - and where the race was won and lost". Racing Post. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  27. ^ a b c "Hewick takes stunning victory in King George VI Chase". Horse Racing Ireland. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  28. ^ a b O'Toole, Fintan (5 April 2021). "'It's a rags to riches story with the price tag, we're out in Abu Dhabi and it's the trainer's first Grade 1 winner'". The42.ie. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  29. ^ a b c d "£600 mare Skyace digs deep to claim "fairytale" Grade One victory at Fairyhouse". Racing TV. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  30. ^ "Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  31. ^ "VIDEO: Jody McGarvey's Grade 1 double at Fairyhouse". The Irish Field. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "John 'Shark' Hanlon handed ten-month suspension for gross negligence". Sky Sports Racing. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  33. ^ a b c d e Paulick Report Staff (5 September 2024). "Irish Trainer Banned 10 Months Over Transportation Of Dead Horse In Open Trailer". Paulick Report. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  34. ^ Paulick Report Staff (11 July 2025). "Irish Trainer Banned 10 Months Over Transportation Of Dead Horse In Open Trailer". Paulick Report. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  35. ^ a b "Shark Hanlon: Trainer has 10-month suspension for bringing racing into disrepute reduced to six after appeal". Sky Sports Racing. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  36. ^ "Shark Hanlon: 2024 was a disaster". The Irish Field. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  37. ^ O'Connor, Ryan (29 November 2024). "Banned horse racing trainer Shark Hanlon hands over yard to friend". The42.ie. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  38. ^ a b Lees, Jon (24 September 2024). "Hewick trainer Shark Hanlon says fan support is 'only thing keeping me going'". The Mirror. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  39. ^ a b Fullerton, Gareth (28 November 2024). "Shark Hanlon opens up on yard 'heartbreak' as ban looms". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  40. ^ Lees, Jon (21 February 2025). "Shark Hanlon hopes for public support as he prepares for return from ban". The Mirror. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
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