A ‘moment of madness’ has seen trainer Gordon Elliott been banned from racing for 12 months – with six suspended – and fined £13,000 following his dead horse photo shame.
The three-time Grand National-winning trainer, 43, was served the punishment at a hearing with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
Gordon Elliott – out for 6 months
Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post 07.04.2019
A ruling of 12 months with the final six months suspended was handed out for his ‘extraordinarily foolish’ actions.
The fallout has been extensive and Betfair were first to cut ties, before Cheveley Park Stud removed eight of their horses from Elliott’s yard and placed them with two rival trainers.
One of those was unbeaten superstar Envoi Allen, a red-hot favourite for Cheltenham Festival, which begins on Tuesday week.
Elliott also lost a sponsorship deal with multi-millionaire racing tycoons Noel and Valerie Moran.
The British Horseracing Authority endorsed the action by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
Following confirmation regarding the 12-month suspension – the last six months of which are suspended – imposed by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) issued the following statement:
We welcome the fact that the Irish authorities have acted swiftly. The suspension will be reciprocated here in Great Britain. The existing restriction on Mr Elliott having runners in Great Britain will stay in place until the suspension takes effect on 9 March.
The IHRB Referrals Committee pointed to the fact that the photo showed appalling bad taste and demonstrates a complete absence of respect for the horse. We endorse these comments, and the view that respect is an integral and essential part of the duty of those in charge of animals.
Today’s decision confirms that horses will not be able to run at the Cheltenham Festival or Grand National Festival in the name of Gordon Elliott.
However, if horses are transferred directly to other licensed trainers prior to 9 March – when the suspension is due to commence – they will be able to run.
