Horse trainer drags his horse into a bar after winning: animal rights activists protest
Created: 04/11/2022, 20:00
By: Anna Katharina Kusters
When his horse wins a race and earns him $500,000 in prize money, trainer John Hanlon takes the animal to a pub.
It was a prosperous period for horse trainer John Hanlon, who hails from the Kilkenny-Carlow border region: his horse Hewick had just won the US Grand National Tournament, earning him $500,000.
He wanted to celebrate that when he returned to Ireland.
However, he decided on an unusual action that brought him some criticism.
Dragged horse in bar: animal rights activists protest
Horse trainer took the race horse to the bar. (Iconic image) © Sabine Brose/Imago
John Hanlon is no stranger to horse trainers.
The Irishman also has the nickname "Shark" - according to his own statement this name goes back to a situation in his past: When he was 18 years old he played in a hurling game in Kilkenny.
Hurling is a sport of Celtic origin in which players play with racquets and a ball.
At one point in the game he got lucky, being able to catch several balls in a row and throw them in the right direction for his team.
A player from the opposing team then asked his team: "Would someone cut the head off that shark and we can all go home now?!" could go home.
However, to the annoyance of this rival, Hanlon's team actually managed to win the game.
Since then he has been nicknamed "Shark".
Horse trainer Hanlon is also successful when it comes to horse racing.
He recently traveled to the USA for the Grand National Tournament with his horse Hewick and came back with the animal as a glorious winner.
To celebrate, he then decided to take the horse to the pub.
That didn't go down well with everyone.
PETA criticizes the behavior of the trainers
After his horse brought him $500,000 by winning the US tournament, he wanted to celebrate back home in Ireland – with his horse.
A Twitter video uploaded by Hanlon himself shows him leading his horse into a bar and ordering a beer.
The guests are amazed at first, then they start taking photos.
Hanlon receives his beer and at one point in the video even takes it to the animal's lips.
But the animal didn't drink any of it, he emphasizes later.
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Because his idea of going to the pub with a horse attracted the attention of the animal protection organization PETA.
She sharply criticized Hanlon, pointing out that horses are not toys.
The animals are very sensitive and a closed room full of people with no visible exit means great stress for horses.
Hanlon dismissed the criticism.
He had everything under control at all times and double checked everything before he went to the pub with Hewick.