Top trainer sorry as dead horse image sparks anger
A GRAND National-winning trainer has apologised after being pictured sitting on a dead horse while giving a V-sign.
Gordon Elliott, whose star performer Tiger Roll became the first to secure back-to-back victories in the Aintree classic since Red Rum in the 1970s, has admitted the image was not doctored.
Widely circulated on social media, it shows the 43-year-old smiling as he sits astride the horse, which had died after suffering a heart attack.
His actions are being investigated by horse-racing authorities and bookmaker Betfair last night sacked him as an ambassador with ‘immediate effect’.
The Cullentra stables boss – who works out of Co. Meath, Ireland – has
been condemned by animal welfare charity Peta. Its director Elisa Allen said: ‘This photograph says it all. Greedy trainers and owners deny horses a real life and laugh all the way to the bank.’
Mr Elliott, who tweeted that he would co-operate with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: ‘I appreciate an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is callous and staged but nothing could be further from the truth.
‘I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which I received a call and, without thinking, sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was
finished.’ But Horse Racing Ireland said the image ‘does not reflect the care, attention and respect racehorses receive’, and does a ‘disservice to the thousands of people who look after horses’. And the British Horseracing Authority said it was ‘appalled’ by the ‘unacceptable’ photo and was considering its own regulatory options.
Explaining why it fired Mr Elliott, Betfair said: ‘While we recognise he deeply regrets and has apologised unreservedly for his poor judgment, his actions are completely at odds with the values of the brand.’
But Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, owner of Tiger Roll and a major backer of Mr Elliott, is standing by him.
He said the photo was ‘a grievous but momentary lapse of judgment’, adding: ‘We all make mistakes. What is important is we learn from them.’
Mr Elliott trained 2007 National winner Silver Birch, repeating the feat with Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.