Few stories in horse racing capture the imagination quite like that of a small-time trainer and his bargain-buy horse chasing Grand National glory.
Enter John Joseph “Shark” Hanlon, the larger-than-life Irish trainer behind Hewick, a pint-sized steeplechaser with a giant heart and growing reputation.
As the 2025 Grand National draws closer, Hewick’s odds have tumbled from 33/1 to just 11/1, putting him firmly among the top six in the betting.
But Shark Hanlon isn’t surprised. In fact, he’s convinced Hewick will go off as favourite on the day.
Still, for a horse with that kind of backing, the buzz around his chances has been oddly quiet—something that might not last much longer.
The Rise of Shark Hanlon
To understand the significance of Hewick’s Grand National bid, we must first look back at the remarkable story of his trainer because his journey to the upper echelons of National Hunt horse racing is far from conventional.
Born into a family of cattle dealers, Hanlon’s early exposure to horses came through his association with the legendary Mullins family, neighbours in County Carlow, Ireland.
Hanlon’s nickname, “Shark,” has nothing to do with his prowess in the racing world. Instead, it dates back to his hurling days when former Kilkenny great Pa Dillon dubbed him “Shark” due to his imposing size compared to his teammates.
The moniker stuck, and it’s now synonymous with one of Irish racing’s most colourful characters.
Hanlon’s transition from cattle dealing to horse training was gradual. He started by pre-training horses for point-to-points and gained valuable experience working with various members of the Mullins family.
In 2006, Hanlon took out a permit license, and by 2008, he was training horses in earnest, converting old cattle sheds into stables.
A Trainer with an Eye for Value
What sets Hanlon apart is his uncanny ability to spot potential in overlooked horses. This talent was never more evident than with Hewick, purchased for a mere €850 (about £800) at the Goresbridge Sales in 2017.
Since taking out his full license in 2007, Hanlon has accumulated 288 career winners. While this might not put him in the same league as some of Ireland’s training powerhouses, it’s an impressive tally for a man who started with just three horses and has built his stable from the ground up.
Hewick: The Little Horse That Could
Hewick’s story is as remarkable as his trainer’s. Standing at just 16 hands, he’s small for a steeplechaser, but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in heart and ability.
His early career was inauspicious, with falls and unseated riders in his first point-to-point races. It took Hewick twelve attempts under Rules before he secured his first victory.
But once Hewick found his feet, there was no stopping him. He has since won eleven times, including prestigious victories in the American Grand National, King George VI Chase, bet365 Gold Cup, and the Galway Plate.
These wins have catapulted Hewick from a humble beginning to earning over £741,852 in prize money. Not a bad return on £800!
The Road to Aintree
Hewick’s form this season has been solid, with placings at the Punchestown Festival and in the Champion Chase at Down Royal as well as two solid Grade 1 runs at Leopardstown.
His most recent outing saw him return to the winner’s enclosure with an easy five-length victory in a 2m 6f hurdle race at Thurles. Incidentally, running horses over shorter hurdles has been a tried and tested path to the Grand National in the past.
It essentially lets the horse stretch his legs and get a few smaller jumps in, all without exhausting them over bigger fences and longer distances. It keeps them nice and fresh for Aintree.
For the 2025 Grand National, the BHA handicapper has allotted Hewick a mark of 162, which is eight pounds lower than his highest official rating (that was 170 in March 2023).
In layman’s terms, that means he has been given 11-07 to carry for the Grand National, 5lbs off the top weight, potentially making him well-handicapped for the big race, especially considering his recent performances.
The Grand National Dream
As the Grand National approaches, Hewick’s odds have been steadily shortening. He’s now one of the most backed horses for the race, with 15% of bets placed through some bookmakers in his favour.
This surge in popularity is a testament to both Hewick’s ability and the public’s fondness for Shark Hanlon’s underdog story.
Hanlon himself is bullish about Hewick’s chances. Speaking to the Racing Post, he said: “The public love Hewick and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went off favourite for the Grand National.”
This confidence is not misplaced. Hewick has proven himself over long distances and has the class to compete at the highest level.
The Final Hurdle
Despite all his success, there’s one achievement that has eluded Shark Hanlon so far – a Grand National victory. The race holds a special place in his heart, and a win would be the crowning glory of his career. “This is the race I’d love to win more than any other,” Hanlon has said.
As for Hewick, the key to his chances may lie in the ground conditions. He performs best on good to soft or good ground, so connections will be hoping for good (but not great!) weather in the lead-up to the race.
A Story Worth Following
The tale of Shark Hanlon and Hewick is one that fans of the Grand National absolutely love. It’s a story of a small-time trainer from humble beginnings, armed with nothing but an eye for talent and a work ethic to match, taking on the racing establishment with a bargain-buy horse that no one else wanted.
As we approach the 2025 Grand National, it’s clear that Shark Hanlon and Hewick deserve more attention. They represent the dream that keeps the sport of horse racing alive – the idea that on any given day, with the right horse and a bit of luck, anyone can win the world’s greatest steeplechase.
Whether Hewick crosses the line first at Aintree or not, the journey of Shark Hanlon from cattle dealer to potential Grand National-winning trainer is a reminder of why we love this sport. As the racing world turns its attention to Aintree, don’t be surprised if you hear more about Shark and his little horse that could.
After all, stranger things have happened in the Grand National – and that’s exactly why we love it.
