John ‘Shark’ Hanlon saddles up with BoyleSports as charitable Cheltenham vow for Cinderella story Hewick unveiled

JOHN 'SHARK' HANLON'S Hewick would be an enormously popular winner of the Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month for a number of reasons.

In an era of super-trainers like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott sweeping all before them, Hanlon and his small-time yard are a throwback to racing's more romantic days of yore.

Since then he's gone to win several Grade 1s including December's King George at Kempton.

And ahead of racing's most renowned festival getting under way on March 12, BoyleSports have gotten in on the Cinderella story.

The bookies has been announced as Hanlon's Official Stable Partner.

Not only that, but the Irish gambling giant has pledged €100,000 to charity should Hewick continue to defy the odds by landing The Gold Cup on the Friday of the four-day bonanza.

The deal means BoyleSports and its customers will receive exclusive updates from the yard of one of Ireland’s most recognisable trainers, while also getting behind Hewick’s journey towards racing
immortality in March and beyond.

Hanlon’s stable star will surpass €1,000,000 in prize money if victorious in the Festival’s blue riband event.

With an American Grand National, Galway Plate, Sandown Gold Cup
and King George already on his CV, Hewick is set to embark on another exciting journey in 2024 with a number of top races earmarked for the superstar staying chaser.

Sharon McHugh, Head of Communications & Sponsorship, BoyleSports said: “In Shark Hanlon we are teaming up with one of horse racing’s great characters and it is a privilege to reward customers with exclusive access as one of his stable stars gets ready for the biggest stage.

"Hewick’s rags to riches story has set him apart as the people’s horse so we won’t be alone in cheering him on the road to Cheltenham glory, and hopefully there is another chapter to be written in his incredible story.”

This year will mark the 100th year of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

And if Hewick’s meteoric rise through the racing ranks continues with victory in this race, BoyleSports will split the money between both the Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) and the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) in the UK to help both organisations continue the vital work they do for racing.

Speaking about the new partnership with BoyleSports, Hanlon, said: “Hewick is in great form and we can’t wait for our tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"BoyleSports, a family-owned brand, is a great match for a stable like ours and we’re delighted to have them on board as the excitement builds towards what we hope will be a memorable Cheltenham Festival and beyond!”

Excitement continues to build in Bagenalstown as Shark prepares Hewick for his biggest test yet.

And the stable will be providing exclusive video content in the lead-up to the greatest show on turf.

There will be previews and reaction to Hewick’s journey through the National Hunt season available across BoyleSports’ social media channels and on BoyleSports’ dedicated Cheltenham Content Hub.