Richard Hannon is an established, high-profile horse trainer for some of the wealthiest owners and owner of one of the largest stables in the United Kingdom. He follows in the footsteps of his father Richard Snr who came from very humble beginning. He was a major player as a licenced horse trainer until his retirement in 2013 where upon his son, who was assistant trainer, literally took over the reigns.
It should be noted that the Hannon family has a long history within racing. In fact, Hannon Snr was assistant to his father, Harry, who retired in 1970.
Richard Hannon Snr won a number of prestigious races including a total of 5 winners of the 1000 & 2000 Guineas. In addition, the Irish 2000 Guineas on 3 occasions. He trained 4,145 winners. He was British flat racing Champion Trainer in 1992, 2010, 2011 & 2013.
This short summery really doesn’t do him justice. However, to add to his merit, he trained over a century of winners in 20 seasons and a double century no less than 5 times.
Richard Michael Hannon was born in 1975.
He took over training at Herridge Racing Stables, Marlborough, Wiltshire in 2014. Formerly, he was assistant trainer to his father. They also have a satellite stable at Everleigh on the edge of Salisbury Plain.
Hannon spent time in Australia before returning to the UK to assist his father. He served this role for 12 years until taking charge upon his father’s retirement in 2013.
Hannon started his training career with an imprssive 10-length victory of an unraced three-year-old called Unscripted. In fact, his first season proved victorious with 206 domestic winners and crowned flat racing Champion Trainer in 2014.
The stable has capacity for 220 horses. With the original stables at Everleigh catering for about 100, while Herridge, the newer facility, containing 120-plus boxes came to fruition in 1993. The business has a workforce of about 100 people.
The yard has a mix of traditional brick stables and American-style barns. It is one of the most well-equipped establishments in the UK. Both training centres total 250 acres with grass gallops. While Everleigh and Herridge feature 7-furlong sand and poly track gallops respectively. Interestingly, the yard has a mill to mix its own feed. In addition, they have 4 modern horse boxes.
There is a 2-furlong exercise ring, horse walkers, salt water spa, while indoor schooling for breaking in yearlings, a quiet lunging area and starting stalls for race preparation. In addition, there are turnout pens, digital weighbridge & hot water showers.
His major racing success came with Night Of Thunder who won the English 2000 Guineas in 2014. Other noted horses include Toronado, Tiggy Wiggy & Olympic Glory. He is heading toward 2000 winners with many successes coming from overseas.
Hannon is one of triplets, with three other sisters. His sister, Elizabeth, is married to horse trainer Richard Hughes.
Hannon is married to, Jemima, and they have two children, Eliza and Jack.
