MY MOMENT OF MADNESS
Elliott ready to pay big price for pic
hanging by a thread – as owners could take their top horses away from his yard in order to run at the sport’s marquee event.
Swift action to the viral image, which showed the 42-year-old sitting on top of a dead horse, smiling and making a two-fingered ‘peace’ sign, was taken by the British Horseracing Authority.
A spokesperson said: “The BHA, which regulates racing in Britain, 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.”
Tiger Roll’s Grand Nationalwinning trainer confirmed the picture was real and not photoshopped as some had previously claimed – which led to an outpouring of anger and disgust from the sport’s fans.
Elliott claimed he sat down on the dead horse “without thinking” while taking a phone call.
Elliott, who was due to run superstar Envoi Allen and Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr at the Festival, said: “Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.
“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, I fully understand that, 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. I know nothing else. 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 just hope people can understand how truly sorry I am and find some way to forgive me for what I have done.”
A BHA statement added: “People who work in our industry believe their values – of caring for and respecting our horses – have been deeply undermined by this behaviour.
“On their behalf, and on behalf of all horse-lovers, we say loudly that British horse racing finds this totally unacceptable.”
Racing chiefs either side of the Irish Sea committed to a thorough investigation of Elliott’s actions.