LEGENDARY Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Michael Hourigan – handler of such equine stars as Dorans Pride and Beef Or Salmon – of Lisaleen Stables, Patrickswell, has announced his retirement after over 50 years of holding a licence.
Initially a jockey, riding 14 winners, he embarked on his tremendous training career in 1973 and saddled his first winner – Ramrajya – at the St Patrick’s Festival meeting at Limerick in 1979.
Hourigan’s best season numerically was in 2003/04 with 58 wins.
“It’s time. I’ve been working with horses since I was 14 years old, and I am 77 now. Now is the right time and I’m happy I’m going out on my own terms, I’m not being pushed out,” he said.
“Dorans Pride and Beef Or Salmon would be the highlight, but there were plenty of good horses in between too. I really couldn’t pick between them for the best moment,” Hourigan added.
Other top winners through his hands included four-times Grade One winner Hi Cloy, Deep Bramble, Church Island and Tropical Lake.
Hourigan’s last winner came via Rising Dust at Listowel in summer 2024 and his daughter Laura currently trains in her own name from the same family base.
