Shark Hanlon fined following heated Listowel incident Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has been fined €250 by the Listowel stewards today, following a heated argument in the weigh room area. The trainer of Hewick is a noted opponent of watering at Irish racecourses and following a bad-tempered exchange with clerk of the course Paul Moloney in the busy weigh room area, received his fine under rule 272 (i). Hanlon later accepted that he had been verbally abusive to Moloney and apologised for his actions. The IHRB report reads: ‘Following a report from an IHRB Racing Official, the Raceday Stewards interviewed trainer, Mr John Joseph Hanlon in relation to his conduct during an interaction with the IHRB Clerk of the Course Mr P. Moloney. Evidence was heard from Mr P. Moloney and Mr John Joseph Hanlon. Mr John Joseph Hanlon said he became irate over the ground conditions, he accepted that he had been abusive towards Mr P. Moloney and apologised for his actions. Having considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Mr John Joseph Hanlon was in breach of Rule 272 (iii)(verbal abuse towards an Official) and having considered his clean record in this regard they fined him €250 on this occasion.’ Earlier in the day, Hanlon had separately been fined €65 for failing to fit declared cheekpieces to Pure Logic prior to entering the parade ring for the opening race. Rule 272 (i) relates to: ‘Any person involved in horseracing who, within the jurisdiction of IHRB: (i) whether verbally or by conduct or behaviour, acts in a manner which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing (whether or not such behaviour or conduct, verbal or otherwise is associated directly with horseracing).’
