'Shark' Hanlon hails son Paddy's progress as he prepares for open morning

The popular trainer will be throwing open his doors on June 15

10/06/2024

'Shark' Hanlon hails son Paddy's progress as he prepares for open morning

John Hanlon's son Paddy rode a 275/1 double at Limerick recently

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon hopes a massive double for son Paddy will kick-start his career in the saddle and tempt other trainers to hand the teenager more opportunities.
Paddy rode a sensational double at Limerick on 30 May at a combined price of 275/1 just two days after his 17th birthday.
As Hanlon prepares to throw open the doors of his yard in Bagenalstown next Saturday, he could not be prouder of his latest star attraction.
“It was special for us, good for him, and good for owners,” said Hanlon, ahead of his trainer open morning. “For myself and [partner] Rachel it was amazing.
“It’s something you hope happens but usually doesn’t, but he’s a good chap, he puts a lot of time into it.
“He rode winners in England when he was only 16, hopefully it’s onwards and upwards for him now.
“I hope people start using him because it’s very tough in this game to get going and with a little bit of luck, this might have started him off.
“We have a nice team of horses for him during the summer, we might have to send him somewhere else for the winter. Whatever he wants to do, I’m not going to force him.”
Fourteen-year-old Sean is also a key piece of the Hanlon puzzle, operating the yard’s social media channels.
It’s no wonder Hanlon’s open morning last year attracted around 1,000 visitors, with everyone interested to see how the family operation punches so well above its weight, in addition to the complimentary food, free bar, and music.
“Sean is brilliant with social media, he does all of it for me,” said Hanlon. “Anyone that follows me will agree that he gets a lot of comments about how good he is.
“It’s important for anyone involved with horses at the yard to keep them updated and that’s his job.
“He’s off school so he’s done a bit of mucking out but he won’t be idle and he’s a right chap, he keeps me on my toes.
“When you sit down for dinner and the two boys are at the table, Paddy is there picking out races for horses and Sean is across social media telling me we should be doing this and that.
“It’s great to have the whole team there and the support of the boys is amazing.”
When it comes to the horses, Hanlon knows who everyone is desperate to see.
Hewick will take a brief interlude from his summer holidays in Naas to top the open morning billing, with owner TJ McDonald more than happy to oblige and give the punters what they want.
“It’s nice to be able to do something for the public,” said Hanlon. “There’s a lot of people who love race horses and it’s great to be able to give them a day out in my local county.
“Last year they came from every county in Ireland and even some from England. There was one man who left his home at 4am to get here. People enjoy it, they have all the food and drink they want, and they’ll enjoy seeing Hewick and the craic around the yard.”
Those who attend should make the most of their time with the Grade 1 winner and fans’ favourite, as Hanlon suggests he’ll be reserved for only the very best race days next season.
“Myself and the owner spoke and we’re more than likely going to go back to America (for the Grand National Hurdle Stakes), we’ll have to talk about it again,” he added.
“We’ll go on and do his season from there, we’ll go back for the King George, Cheltenham, Liverpool (Aintree). He won’t be running often, but he’ll be running in big races.”
To register your interest for John 'Shark' Hanlon's open morning on Saturday 15 June, please click here.

There’s a lot of people who love race horses and it’s great to be able to give them a day out in my local county.