About us
Denis started out in racing as an apprentice with successful trainer Michael Halford at the Curragh, gaining a lot of knowledge. The Dark Flasher was his first winner on the flat at Killarney in 2003. Denis’s career really began to take off when he switched to jumps. It did not take long for Denis to register his first winners, and he notched up 7 in his first full season.
For the next five years, Denis had a very successful association with Charlie Swann riding many winners. In 2009 Denis seized the opportunity to take over Boherna Stables and set out training himself. In his first season of training, he had two winners and has steadily increased the number of winners ever since. Denis combines riding and training; his most recent big race winner was steering Bua Boy to victory at the 2020 Galway Festival (where Denis Hogan Racing has particular success).
Racing in Ireland is very competitive, and it very easy to spend a lot of money at the sales only to end up with a very modest horse. While nobody would be turned away for wanting to spend a million on a yearling, the business model at Denis Hogan Racing is to buy well-bred horses with problems at reasonable prices and then iron out the issues as part of training.
Recent examples include:
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Sceptical - cost £2800 and ended up the highest-rated sprinter in Ireland and placed at Royal Ascot
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Make a Challenge - cost £6500, won 10 times including Galway Festival twice and 5 Listed Races
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Allegio - cost £5500 and holds the record at 33 lengths for the largest flat winning distance in UK and Ireland.
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Tithonus - purchased for €4,200, won 8 races, including the Rockingham and Scurry Handicaps.
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Jack The Wire - cost €15,000 and featured in races at the Listowel and Galway Festival
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Moyhenna - Grade 2 Winner, Punchestown Festival Winner and beaten a Nose in the Kerry National
Denis is a very syndicate friendly trainer and with competitive training fees, there are horses to suit all budgets. To be involved with the next stage of the journey please check out our Horses for Sale and do not hesitate to contact us.