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King George-winning trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon described himself as “very disappointed” after finding out his licence was suspended for ten months by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s referrals committee.

Hanlon was also fined €2,000 alongside the ten-month ban for transporting a dead horse in an open trailer which was attached to a 'John Hanlon Racing' lorry. Footage of the incident was circulated online and via social media in June. Hanlon said the body was left on display to the public after a tarpaulin became displaced throughout the journey.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's referrals committee described his actions to have "caused significant prejudice to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of the sport of racing."

The referrals committee heard the case on August 30th and was content Hanlon had breached rule 272(i) in that he was "grossly negligent in the supervision of the transport of the horse carcass on the day in question."

The committee will consider a potential request to conditionally suspend the final five months of Hanlon's ten-month suspension, should the train adhere to certain conditions.

"The committee is disposed to consider a future application to conditionally suspend the last five months of the 10-month withdrawal sanction. The possible partial suspension of such a sanction to reflect mitigating factors is consistent with the previous approach of this committee."

Hanlon must not knowingly participate in any training-related activities or gallops and not issue instructions to any jockey or other trainer. He is also banned from entering any weighing room, parade ring or any other area of a racecourse restricted to licensees of the IHRB.