Michael Hourigan began his career with Charlie Weld on the Curragh at the age of 14. Michael rode as a jockey on the flat, over hurdles and fences and won 14 races as a result. Subsequently he went on to train his own horses outside the family run pub in Rathkeale in the early 1970’s. It did take some time to achieve the first winner as a trainer but now Michael has amassed 700 winners under rules in total since. This keeps him on the very top lines of the trainer’s statistics in Ireland year in and year out.

Michael also still trains many horses for the amateur point to point field, which is where many stable stars, both human and equine begin their racing careers.

The larger races he has won as a trainer over the years include:

* 5 Lexus Chases (formally Ericisson), Leopards town (2005,2004,2002 Beef Or Salmon, 1998 Dorans Pride, 1993 Deep Bramble)
* 4 Hennessy Gold Cups – Leopards town (2007,2006,2003 Beef Or Salmon, 1998 Dorans Pride)
* Amend Paddy Power Handicap Chases at Leopardstown to 2 (1997 Dorans Pride, 1999 Inis Cara)
* 2 James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chases – Down Royal (2004,2006 Beef Or Salmon)
* 5 Morris Oil Chase – Clonmel (2007 Mossbank, 2002 Beef or Salmon, 2000,1999,1997 Dorans Pride)
* Munster National Chase Limerick 2007 – Mossbank

Other than the training of horses Michael has ridden in many charity races raising money for many different causes. The crashing fall that Shane Broderick had at Fairyhouse on March 31st 1997 from Another Deadly in a chase after winning the chase before, left him severely disabled. Shane, who was the promising young jockey of Doran’s Pride and had an exiting future ahead of him as a successful jockey, was at that time the stable jockey at Lisaleen.

Michael organised a series of events all over Ireland to raise over €1.25 million for him. Shane now trains in his own rite and has runners currently.