Shark Hanlon has Grand National goal when he returns from dead horse ban

Shark Hanlon has Grand National goal when he returns from dead horse ban Newspoint | 22/02/2025 12:39:09

Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon is hoping a wave of public support will help him pick up his training career again after a three month absence.

The trainer of fan favourite Hewick, the £800 horse who won the King George VI Chase in 2023, was banned last year for bringing racing into disrepute over the removal of a dead horse from his yard.

The horse was carried on an open trailer which was towed by Hanlon’s branded horsebox, with the body left on display to the public after a tarpaulin became displaced during the journey. A member of the public videoed the incident and it was widely circulated on social media.

A disciplinary panel initially imposed a ten month ban, a sentence which was reduced to six on appeal of which the last three months were suspended.

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Hanlon is set to have his licence returned on March 1 but he is not expecting to have any runners at the with Hewick being aimed at the Grand National.

“I lost my licence three months ago but we are back in business on March 1, so I am really looking forward to getting back home,” said Hanlon, speaking at the BoyleSports Cheltenham Festival Preview Night, where the bookmaker will be offering the latest .

“Listen, we sold a lot of horses at Doncaster and now I have to go and try and replace them, and get new owners, which is not simple. The only good thing out of this is that pretty much the whole was behind me so I am really hoping we have plenty of support when we come back.”

He went on: “I don’t think we will be having any runners at Cheltenham this year, just because of what has happened over the last few months. It’s just too soon. Aintree will be where I may have three or four of them out, but I am really looking forward to Cheltenham just the same.”

Hanlon has the challenge of having to build up his string again, having sold a lot of his horses before starting the suspension.

Hewick was temporarily transferred to Tara Lee Cogan but will return to Bagenalstown next month.

“I think we will end up at Aintree for the Grand National.” Hanlon said. “It depends on the ground if he runs at Cheltenham, we haven’t made our mind up yet, the big aim for this year and for the last six or seven months was the National so that’s where we will probably be going with Hewick.”