POPULAR trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has proven more than capable of organising and executing some ambitious overseas coups with stable star Hewick over the last couple of years, but it turns out he is well able to pull together a proper hooley too.

A huge crowd of more than 800 racing fans descended on his Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, yard for a recent Horse Racing Ireland Trainer Open Morning, with complimentary food, a free bar and music, keeping his many visitors happy.

The Irish Field’s mailbag even included written correspondence from delighted attendees, and Hanlon insists the effort that went into putting on the event was very much worthwhile.

“It was a massive morning for us,” said the American Grand National-winning trainer.

“I’m delighted that we’ve managed to get shares in different horses sold since on the back of it too. Thankfully, this event has been good to me and I’d like to think we ran a good show.

Positive feedback

“We put in a lot of work and it cost a few quid. There was all the food they could want, a bit of music and so on, and I felt there was a great buzz around the place, with people meeting each other and getting on well. A lot of them didn’t leave until six in the evening.”

Hanlon added: “We had a guy come out from Kilkenny to operate a free bar for us and serve cold drinks, which seemed to go down well. On top of that, I even think we started the day with 500 bottles of water and I had to go off for 200 more because there was nothing left of it.

“I’ve got seven or eight cards and letters from people who came to the yard since and I’m hopeful everyone enjoyed it.”