Date of birth: 1945 Started training: 1970 Base: East Everleigh Stables, Marlborough Champion trainer: Once (1992) English Classic wins: 3 (All in the 2,000 Guineas) 2002 wins: 121 2001 wins: 110 2000 wins: 130 Main jockey: Richard Hughes

The son of a trainer, former rock-band drummer Hannon took out his own licence in 1970.

He has trained more than 100 winners a season for the past 11 seasons, a remarkable achievement even though he does have one of the largest strings in the country.

He was champion trainer back in 1992 and has had three Classic successes - all in the 2,000 Guineas - with Mon Fils (1973), Don't Forget Me (1987) and Tirol (1990).

But it is with two-year-olds that Hannon has developed a speciality and his entrants in juvenile races must always be respected.

Like many racing stables, Hannon's Wiltshire-based operation is a family-run affair - his son, also called Richard, is the assistant-trainer while son-in-law Richard Hughes is the yard's regular jockey.