Time to say goodbye to the horse of a lifetime
John 'Shark' Hanlon is welcoming all to his yard on Saturday to celebrate the career of Hewick Photo: RVN Mangement/The Jockey Club
“It is free. Anyone who is free and wants to come they will be very welcome to see the horse.”
So said horse trainer, John Shark Hanlon, this week confirming that he is expecting a capacity crowd at his stables near the Royal Oak off the Kilkenny-Carlow road to mark the retirement of Hewick who became the people’s favourite in a distinguished National Hunt career.
On Saturday the trainer and his staff will hold a special occasion to mark the career of people’s favourite, Hewick, who had his last race when finishing in third place behind Reverend Hubert in the RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle in Cork in July.
The eleven year old was a bargain buy as a two year old and went on to win eleven races in a long career over hurdles and fences.
His biggest successes were the Bet365 Gold Cup in Sandown, the Galway Plate and the 2022 American Grand National. He also won the 2023 King George in Kempton when he came out of nowhere to pip Bravemansgame in a remarkable finish. After the announcement last July, Hanlon admitted the time was right for the horse to retire.
“It’s been great for everyone involved, but all good times end. It’s great to retire him on four legs and 100%. And he’ll be going to a very good home in Naas with T J (owner T J McDonald).
“He never lost his enthusiasm for the game but his feet are not as fast as they were. He’s been a real people’s horse and it’s the end of an era for all of us.” The Shark is expecting over 1500 to turn up on the day and says it will be a celebratory occasion. Food and refreshments will be provided and there will be an ice-cream van in the yard.
“There are people booked into the Lord Bagenal who are coming from America because they saw him win the American Grand National. There are an awful lot of English people. We are calling it an Open Day and a Retirement Day for Hewick,” explained Hanlon.
“It starts at 10.30am and will go on to about 3.00pm. Hewick will probably be on the gallop. He will just hack around and let people see him. The owner will be there and people can have their pictures taken. Anyone who wants to come and take pictures with the horse or whatever, they will be all welcome,” said Hanlon who is hoping to encourage more people to get involved in racing.
“We are opening the yard and we are hoping to open small syndicates for small money who cannot afford to put a horse in training. We will put ten people, twenty people together and make a syndicate which would give people a chance to get into a horse. There are a few nice horses there and we will syndicate them all out,” the larger than life trainer promised.
Fenniscourt Court, Bagenalstown, County Carlow. (Eircode R21 XK 65)
