RACING: Wiltshire trainer Hannon to retire at end of year

The Collingbourne Ducis based handler, 68, who has bases at Herridge and Everleigh, will hand over the licence to his son, Richard Hannon junior, on January 1.

Speaking on his website, richardhannonracing.co.uk, Hannon said: "The worst-kept secret is racing is finally out - I am standing down from New Year's Day.

"It was always going to happen, but Richard jnr has served his apprenticeship and you cannot keep him waiting forever. Ian Balding passed the baton to Andrew and Barry Hills did likewise to Charlie, and it is only right that Richard should now take over.

"We thought long and hard as to when to make the announcement, but I wanted to make sure all my owners knew first, especially the Queen, and now that all the yearlings are in for next season it is the appropriate moment to let everyone know.

"Inevitably, people will say that I have retired, but I will still be up and out at first lot and assisting Richard instead of him assisting me.

"It is not my style to lay in bed all morning - I love being with the horses, but these past couple of seasons I have started to wind down and go racing less.

"I will still go to Newbury and Salisbury and also Royal Ascot and Goodwood, but I am now 68 and maybe it is time that I dropped down a gear."

Hannon, crowned champion trainer three times in the last four years, secured countless big-race victories, including three triumphs in the 2000 Guineas with Mon Fils, Don't Forget Me and Tirol.

Hannon also claimed the 1000 Guineas last season with Sky Lantern.

He began training in 1970 following the retirement of his father, Harry.

Despite having been responsible for sharp thoroughbreds like Lyric Fantasy and Lemon Souffle, Hannon has long considered five-times Group One-winning miler Canford Cliffs to have been the best horse he ever trained, and further top-level success at a mile has come this season with Toronado and Olympic Glory.

Hannon, who was known for his peerless handling of juveniles, attracted leading owners like the Queen and bows out at the top after securing a record-breaking number of domestic winners (238) to earn over £4.5million in prize-money.

Hannon jnr celebrates his 38th birthday today.

Hannon has been a major player across the globe in the last few years and was quick to acknowledge the role of his son in attracting prominent owners to the yard, among them Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, in whose silks Toronado and Olympic Glory won the Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes respectively this season.

He said: "The quality of horses has definitely improved these last two or three years, and that is down to Richard jnr. It was him who brought in Sheikh Hamdan (Al Maktoum) and Sheikh Joaan (Al Thani) amongst others, and we can now go to the bloodstock sales with fatter cheque books than we have done in the past."

Reflecting on his career, Hannon said: "I have been lucky enough to have trained some great horses. The first Classic winner is always special and I will never forget Mon Fils (1973) landing that Guineas, while Tirol and Don't Forget Me also have prominent places in the scrapbook, but there have been plenty of others, notably Canford Cliffs, Paco Boy, Toronado, Sky Lantern and Olympic Glory.

"However, we have one more roll of the dice this year, Sky Lantern in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on December 8. We have enjoyed another fabulous season, with seven Group One winners and £5.5m in prize-money, but it would be nice to finish with one more biggie, and maybe Sky Lantern can make the dream become reality. She is very well and she will love the fast ground out there.

"Then who knows Richard jnr might get off to a flying start by winning the 2000 Guineas with Toormore or one of the others. Now that would be the perfect lift-off, wouldn't it?"

Hannon famously saddled a winner for the Queen at Royal Ascot when Free Agent won the Chesham Stakes in 1999.

Her Majesty's racing manager John Warren said: "The day Free Agent won the Chesham was special, as the Queen had gone a long while without a Royal Ascot winner.

"Richard junior has obviously been incredibly closely associated all the way along the line, he's been there every step of the way.

"Because of that, I doubt very much that anything will change - it's all about the next generation.

"The partnership will continue and I'm sure he'll be a success in his own right.

"He'll still make it fun and that is the main thing, when the Queen goes there she always comments how much fun she has there, it gives her so much pleasure."

Hannon's great friend, former England footballer and successful trainer Mick Channon, said: "He's a genius, there is no other word for him.

"Richard jnr is a lucky lad because he has learned from a master. I've always said that all the other trainers are his apprentices.

"As well as being a great trainer, though, he's been a great mate to me down the years. We've been friends for a long time.

"I'm pleased he's gone out right at the very top. He's a great trainer, but most of all a great man.

"It's pretty emotional for me because for most of my life Richard Hannon has been a trainer and now he won't be.

"Obviously I knew it was coming but it's still sad, it's the end of an era.

"I'm thrilled for Richard jnr, though, he couldn't be taking over at a better time.

"It's amazing what has been built up there. I remember Richard as assistant to his dad, Harry, in the days we used to use pitch forks as starting gates!

"The right people send him horses now, that's why he's had so much success recently, but he was training Guineas winners back in the 70s.

"He's got a great clientele, he always has had, and he deserves everything he's got."

Richard Perham, who rode for Hannon for the duration of his career and is now a respected jockey coach at the British Racing School, said: "I started working for him the day after I left school at 16 and rode for him until I retired in 2001.

"He provided me with some fantastic opportunities, and a few rollickings along the way as well!

"Richard jnr has been an integral part of the team there for quite a number of years and what a wonderful legacy Richard snr has left for him to take over. That's the most poignant part.

"When I joined Richard Hannon in 1984 he had 43 horses, so I've seen an awful lot of change and over the past nine years I've been quite envious seeing all the big-race winners and success they have had.

"I wish him all the best and what a cracking lad Richard jnr is. He's a chip off the old block and he'll continue to go from strength to strength, I've no doubt about that.

"I think he will have taught Richard jnr to look at a horse and not what it cost and not what it is by. He can look at a horse from the ground and that is what he has always been fantastic at."

Hannon's daughter, Fanny, is married to trainer Sylvester Kirk, who was assistant to her father for eight years.

She said: "He'll be really missed. I did say to him - listen dad, now that you are retiring I don't mind taking second spot and you can be our assistant!

"He'll definitely still be there in the background and young Richard will need him in the background and I hope he continues to be in my background as well.

"Dad's best qualities are he is his own man, he doesn't care who you are - he will speak to anyone, he enjoys people's company, he loves entertaining people and he loves being entertained.

"It doesn't matter if you are a toilet cleaner or the Queen of England, he's got time for you.

"The fact that he has always got time for people has definitely helped him and benefited him in every way.

"I'm a bit upset, too. I don't want him to retire, but I suppose he has to. He's done it all my life and now he's not training any more. I hope he gets other interests."

Rod Street, chief executive of Great British Racing, said: "Richard has been a wonderful advertisement for what's best about our sport for over 40 years so it's a shame that we will be seeing less of him.

"However, there could be no better time to hand over to his son after such a stellar season and I'm certain his continued influence with guide Richard Jnr to even greater success."

MORE ON HANNON'S RETIREMENT IN NEXT WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD