Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Foster into the breach for Elliott
GORDON ELLIOTT has confirmed that Denise Foster will take his place as the licensed trainer at Cullentra Stables while he serves a suspension.
After a hearing with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Friday, Elliott was given a one year training ban for the controversial photo of him sitting on a dead horse.
The last six months of that ban is suspended, meaning the Meath trainer will be allowed to train horses again by August of this year.
But in the interim Foster will take over his huge operation, including the many horses that were under his care bound for this month’s Cheltenham Festival. A statement from
Gordon Elliott Racing said yesterday: “Denise is vastly experienced and her appointment is great news for staff and owners. Gordon will be available to assist her as she requires.”
Foster currently has her own training operation based in Enfield, Meath and is highly regarded among her peers.
Career highlights include training Lily’s Rainbow to win a listed race at Navan in 2016, while Not For Burning gave her a winner at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival.
A former riding instructor, Denise is affectionately known as ‘Sneezy’ and is highly regarded by her racing peers.
Among the many jump stars set to run under her name at this month’s
Cheltenham Festival include Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr, Champion Hurdle contender Abacadabras and two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll. CLOTH CAP was cut to 7/1 favourite to give his owner Trevor Hemmings a fourth win in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 10 after an all-theway win in the Premier Chase at Kelso yesterday.