'I have plenty of time but my patience wouldn't be great' - King George-winning trainer Shark Hanlon seeks to rebuild after suspension

King George-winning trainer Shark Hanlon has praised his owners for sticking with him as he continues to rebuild following a six-month suspension handed down last year and the sale of 30 of his string as a result. 

Standing at the Goffs UK horses in training sale last October for the dispersal of 24 of his horses, Hanlon described the day as a “lonely” one, but, having returned to the fold in March, the Bagenalstown trainer says he has been buying a lot of young horses for owners who have stood by him.

“All the owners stuck with me,” said Hanlon. “That’s a big help, but we're just starting to get going again and it takes a while. We sold 30 horses, so to lose that many out of a stable isn’t easy. It would break your heart to lose any horse, but it had to be done at the time. I sold them for the owners and they’re all coming back in now.”

Shark Hanlon: King George-winning trainer has lauded his owners for continuing to support himCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

How has Hanlon got on since his return?

The trainer had a ten-month suspension reduced to six months on appeal last year after the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s referrals committee decided he was guilty of “gross negligence” for transporting a horse carcass on one of his branded trailers in full view of the public. 

He was allowed to have runners again from March and promptly had three winners that month, including Hewick under son Paddy for the first time in a conditions hurdle at Thurles.

Paddy Hanlon: successful on Hewick at Thurles in MarchCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan (racingpost.com/photos)

The stable's flagbearer and 2023 King George VI Chase hero has also been one of Hanlon's eight winners from 177 runners in Ireland this season. The trainer has also had two successes in Britain, an avenue he could explore again with Hewick on Friday in Newbury's Coral Long Distance Hurdle (3.00).

'We have an awful lot of young horses'

Hanlon has also been on the hunt for new owners and says he won’t be fully back until next summer.

“I’ve been doing a lot of socialising,” he said. “You have to be out meeting people, and you don’t meet them sitting at home. 

“We bought a lot of horses over the last couple of months and we have an awful lot of young horses. It'll take until next summer to get going really, because I have about 30 three-year-olds at home.

Shark Hanlon: “You have to be out meeting people, and you don’t meet them sitting at home"Credit: Laura Green

“Everything is coming along lovely but it takes time and patience. I have plenty of time but my patience wouldn’t be great."

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