Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’M EMBARRASSED, ANGRY & SAD FOR MY SPORT Ruby’s fury as Elliott is banned over dead horse photo
Townend’s Grey found ideal opportunity in Red Mills
I looked at it I felt angry, I felt embarrassed for my sport and I felt very sad in myself.
“The embarrassing part is that people could think that we can all be tarred with the same brush. That is not the way, in any of the establishments I’ve worked in, that things are done.
“It’s an appalling picture and as I said it’s not defensible.”
When asked if he sees a way back for Elliott, he told RTE2FM: “I don’t know, we live in a democracy. Everybody makes errors but I don’t know – I think it will be a very long road.”
Swift action to the viral image, which showed the 43-year-old sitting on top of a dead horse, smiling and making a two-fingered ‘peace’ sign, was taken by the
British Horseracing Authority. And a spokesman for the racing chiefs said: “The BHA will use powers under its own rules to refuse to allow horses trained by Mr Elliott to race in Britain pending consideration of the outcome of the Irish investigation.”
The trainer of Tiger Roll, owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’leary, confirmed the picture was real and not photoshopped.
Elliott claimed he sat down on the dead horse “without thinking,” while taking a call.
“Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished,” he told the Racing Post. “It is indefensible. Whether alive or dead, the horse was entitled to dignity.
“A moment of madness that I am going to have to spend the rest of my life paying for and that my staff are suffering for.
“I will be punished. But it absolutely breaks my heart to read and hear people say that I have no respect for my horses. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
“My whole life has revolved around horses since I was a child. Horses are all I have. I came from nothing and built a dream.
“When your world starts crumbling in front of you, it’s a scary place to be. I hope people can understand how truly sorry I am and find some way to forgive me for what I have done.
“I treat each and every one of the horses I train with the utmost respect. We pride ourselves on having the highest of standards with the way we treat our horses, and our staff. I think our facilities here at Cullentra vouch for that. Horse and staff welfare is at the very top of my priorities.
“I’ve invested heavily in outdoor paddocks for horses with respiratory problems, we have vibrating massage plates, a swimming pool, padded stables, a cooling down area. We even bring horses to the beach on a regular basis for an away day. The welfare of my horses, both physically and mentally, is massive.
“I can guarantee this will never happen again to any animal, alive or dead.”
The BHA said: “People who work in our industry believe their values have been deeply undermined. On their behalf, and on behalf of all horse-lovers, we say loudly that British horse racing finds this unacceptable.”
BACHASSON should continue his winning ways in the rescheduled Red Mills Chase in Gowran Park today.
The 10-year-old grey (left) has been found an ideal opportunity to extend his winning sequence and register his 13th success in the Grade 2 feature.
Bachasson is bidding for a five-timer, being unbeaten since last March, when he finished sixth behind Dame De Compagnie in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
He landed a conditions chase in Clonmel two weeks later and, this season, recorded his biggest success over fences, when beating classy, odds-on stablecompanion Cilaos Emery (won a Grade 3 in Naas on Sunday) in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase, in Clonmel, in November.
Since then, he has triumphed twice over hurdles – scoring at
Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and, last time, when beating Grand Roi readily in the Grade 2 Limestone Lad in Naas five weeks ago. Bachasson, rated 160 over fences, has 7lb in hand on Castlegrace Paddy, a three-time winner at this level, including a defeat of A Plus Tard in the Fortria at Navan in November, but probably out of his depth in a couple of Grade 1 events since.
Pat Fahy’s charge has never won over today’s trip, two and a half miles. And, with Paul Townend (inset) expected to let Bachasson roll along in front, the grey is expected to outstay his rival, with Annamix, suited by race conditions, also likely to reach the frame.
Cedarwood Road, a listed winner over hurdles last spring and a horse destined to make a name for himself over fences, appeals in the 5 Star Lyrath
Estate Hotel Beginners Chase.
REFEREE Pascal Gauzere has admitted he blundered in awarding Wales their two first-half tries in England’s defeat in Cardiff on Saturday.
The French official has come clean to World Rugby referees’ chief Joel Jutge that he messed up in allowing the scores for Josh Adams and Liam Williams.
Jutge revealed: “There were two unfortunate incidents during the match which were not simple to manage.
“I know from having spoken to him by phone that Pascal Gauzere recognises that himself.
“Pascal looked at the situation on Sunday morning and he is the first to admit it.
“When you make a mistake, it’s best to own up and be transparent. It doesn’t change the fact that he is an excellent international referee.”
England were left shorthanded in defence for Adams’ try after captain Owen Farrell had been ordered by Gauzere to speak to his players (right) about their penalty count – only for the referee to blow his whistle for the game to restart while they were still grouped together.
Jutge added: “From the moment when the referee says ‘time on’ the game can recommence.
“Except that it was on him to make sure the English had material time to reorganise themselves, because it was him who had asked the captain to speak to his players.”
Gauzere then allowed Williams’ try after consultation with video official Alex
Ruiz – despite a knock-on by Louis Rees-zammit.
Jutge said: “The ball was not under the control of the Welsh wing and went forward on to his thigh. In the laws there isn’t this notion of loss of control, that’s why this situation lends itself to confusion.
“But the reality is that if he had blown up for a knock-on, no one would have been able to complain. There is a balance to be struck and in this case, a simple bit of common sense would have sufficed.
“There is a loss of control, the ball goes forward, so it’s a knock-on.”
Gauzere is set to retain his place as an assistant for Wales’ next game in Italy a week on Saturday and as referee for Scotland v Italy on the final weekend of the Six Nations.