- The champion horse trainer has been banned from racing for 10 months
- Shark Hanlon previously trained Hewick to a stunning King George VI chase win
- Footage emerged of one of Hanlon’s horseboxes carrying a dead horse
Shark Hanlon, the trainer of fairytale horse Hewick, has been banned for 10 months after an incident that caused public outrage and damaged racing’s reputation.
Hanlon, a larger than life character, was propelled into the headlines last Christmas after Hewick – who was bought for just £800 – won the historic King George VI Chase, worth £143,045, at Kempton on Boxing Day but now faces the task of rebuilding his battered reputation.
Footage was circulated on social media of an uncovered trailer attached to one of Hanlon’s horseboxes being driven through Paulstown, County Kilkenny on June 14. In the back, clearly visible, was the carcass of a dead horse.
The lack of respect for the animal was widely compared to the incident in March 2021 of a picture in which Gordon Elliott, the three-time Grand National winning trainer, was seen sitting on top of horse that had died on his gallops.
Hanlon was quickly referred to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board in June and, in a report that was published on Thursday, they criticised him for trying to mislead them with the information he provided when he was asked for evidence.
Shark Hanlon, the trainer of fairytale horse Hewick, has been banned for 10 months after an incident that caused public outrage
Footage was circulated on social media of an uncovered trailer attached to one of Hanlon’s horseboxes being driven through Paulstown, County Kilkenny with a dead horse clearly visible
Hanlon was propelled into the headlines last Christmas after Hewick (pictured) – who was bought for just £800 – won the historic King George VI Chase, worth £143,045, at Kempton on Boxing Day
A three-man panel, led by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, was withering in their assessment of the situation and had no hesitation in condemning Hanlon for causing ‘significant prejudice to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of the sport of horse-racing.’
In the written reasons provided, they added: ‘The importance of proper respect for the carcass of the deceased animal ought to have been well-known to all trainers, including Mr Hanlon, following recent high-profile public controversies concerning the shortcomings of trainers and riders.
‘There was evidence of attempts prior to departure to cover the carcass on the trailer by means of a tarpaulin secured by bungee cord and concrete bricks – these were obviously entirely inadequate, as the tarpaulin had disappeared completely by the time the box and trailer had reached Paulstown.’
Hanlon has the potential to apply for the final five months of the licence withdrawal to be suspended on the condition he adheres to a number of strict provisions as set out by the IHRB. He is banned from setting foot, for instance, on any racecourse in Ireland or the United Kingdom.
It is unknown, at this stage, what will happen to Hewick and the other horses in Hanlon’s small stable – they could apply for a temporary licence for an assistant to takeover. Aside from the ban, Hanlon was fined £1690 (€2000).
