Richard Hannon

Richard Michael Hannon (born 1945), known as Richard Hannon Sr. to distinguish him from his son, is a former British horse trainer. He was British flat racing Champion Trainer four times, achieved more than a century of victories in a season 20 times, a double century five times, and turned out 32 Royal Ascot winners. He retired after winning a final trainers' championship at the end of 2013, when the training operation was taken over by his son, Richard Hannon Jr.

History

Hannon's family had a tradition of horse training — his father Harry was also a trainer. In fact, Richard started out as his father's assistant and took over Harry's licence when he retired in 1970.

He was champion trainer in Britain for a fourth time in 2013 with 235 winners, a record total, and retired having saddled the winners of 4,193 races in Britain and overseas in a training career spanning forty-three years. His total of winners was a record for a British-based trainer until overtaken by Mark Johnston in August 2018.

Significant owners

Hannon trained horses for the Queen.

His son Richard was instrumental in bringing in new owners including Sheikh Hamdan, Andrew Tinkler, Sir Robert Ogden, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani.

Awards and honours

Hannon was honoured as champion trainer in 1992, 2010 and 2011. Richard was awarded The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2010 for his lifetime contribution to European racing.

Major wins Great Britain 1,000 Guineas - (1) - Sky Lantern (2013) 2,000 Guineas – (3) – Mon Fils (1973), Don't Forget Me (1987), Tirol (1990) Challow Novices' Hurdle - (1) - Lift and Load (1992) Cheveley Park Stakes – (1) – Indian Ink (2006) Christmas Hurdle - (1) - Gran Alba (1991) Cork and Orrery Stakes – (2) – Shalford (1992), Bold Edge (1999) Coronation Stakes – (2) – Indian Ink (2007), Sky Lantern (2013) Falmouth Stakes – (4) – Only Yours (1991), Niche (1993), Lemon Souffle (1994), Caramba (1995) July Cup – (1) – Mr Brooks (1992) Lockinge Stakes – (3) – Swing Low (1993), Paco Boy (2010), Canford Cliffs (2011) Nassau Stakes – (2) – Crespinall (1972), Caramba (1995) Nunthorpe Stakes – (1) – Lyric Fantasy (1992) Queen Anne Stakes – (2) – Paco Boy (2009), Canford Cliffs (2011) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - (1) - Olympic Glory (2013) St. James's Palace Stakes – (1) – Canford Cliffs (2010) Sussex Stakes – (3) – Reel Buddy (2003), Canford Cliffs (2010), Toronado (2013) Tolworth Novices' Hurdle - (1) - Right Win (1996)

France Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (1) – Mr Brooks (1992) Prix du Cadran – (1) – Assessor (1993) Prix de la Forêt – (1) – Paco Boy (2008) Prix Jean Prat – (2) – Dick Turpin (2010), Havana Gold (2013) Prix Maurice de Gheest – (1) – Bold Edge (2000) Prix Royal-Oak – (1) – Assessor (1992)

Ireland Irish 2,000 Guineas – (3) – Don't Forget Me (1987), Tirol (1990), Canford Cliffs (2010) Matron Stakes – (1) – Tadwiga (1998) Moyglare Stud Stakes – (2) – Lemon Souffle (1993), Sky Lantern (2012) Phoenix Stakes – (1) – Pips Pride (1992) National Stakes - (1) - Toormore (2013)

Italy Gran Criterium – (2) – Scintillo (2007), Law Enforcement (2012) Gran Premio d'Italia – (1) – Right Win (1993) Premio Vittorio di Capua - (1) - Dick Turpin (2011)