Elliott assistant banned for taking picture

Gordon Elliott’s right-hand man, Simon Mcgonagle, has been banned from racing for nine months, seven of which are suspended, after taking the photo of Elliott sitting on a dead horse.

Elliott was this month banned from training horses for six months and would otherwise have been crowned leading trainer at this week’s Cheltenham Festival after six of his former horses triumphed.

The photograph of Elliott emerged on social media last month and an investigation revealed it was Mcgonagle, a long-time friend and senior member of Elliott’s stable staff, who had taken it.

An Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals committee yesterday found Mcgonagle had acted “in a manner which was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing”. His two-month suspension begins on April 19.

How the picture found its way on to social media remains unknown. An IHRB spokesman said: “He said he sent it to five people, that he had spoken to those five people who assured him they had not taken a screenshot and distributed it. So, that remains unclear.”

Elliott is still allowed to live at his Cullentra House stables but has handed over control to Denise Foster, who has taken on his licence.

Foster had three winners at Cheltenham, including double Grand National winner Tiger Roll, who sealed a remarkable fifth success at the Festival by winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead notched six winners at the Festival, with the former crowned leading trainer by virtue of more second-place finishes. However, both benefited from one winner who had moved to their stables from Elliott only when his ban was confirmed. Ian Ferguson also won a Festival race with a former Elliott horse.