Racing board to hear evidence in Elliott horse scandal this week
THE Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) will meet on Friday to consider the investigation into an image of Gordon Elliott sitting on a dead horse.
The board’s Referrals Committee will hear the evidence around the controversial photograph which has led to horse owners and sponsors distancing themselves from the trainer.
However, others including Gigginstown House Stud owned by Michael O’Leary and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) have backed Mr Elliott in the wake of the controversy.
He has apologised after an image emerged of him sitting on a dead horse while on the phone and giving a peace sign to the camera at his gallops in 2019.
The Meath trainer is currently banned from racing in the UK while the investigation by Irish authorities is ongoing, less than two weeks out from the Cheltenham Festival.
He has described the incident as “a moment of madness that I am going to have to spend the rest of my life paying for”.
An online petition, calling for Mr Elliott to be banned from racing indefinitely, has also garnered around 6,000 signatures.
In a statement yesterday the IHRB said its referrals committee “is scheduled to convene on Friday, March 5, 2021 to hear evidence and consider an investigation which was carried out relating to Mr Gordon Elliott”.
Yesterday the Cheveley Park Stud, owners of several prestigious horses including unbeaten superstars Envoi Allen, became the first major owners to depart from Mr Elliott’s yard.
The horses are being moved to other stables, with Envoi Allen joining trainer Henry de Bromhead while Willie Mullins will also receive a number of horses.
Betting exchange giant Betfair were one of the first to end their association with Mr Elliott earlier this week after he admitted that the image of him sitting on the dead animal was genuine.
Others have remained loyal to the highly successful trainer.
The ITRA said it “utterly condemns the image that emerged over the weekend” and that, as one of their most prominent and successful members, “Gordon has a duty of care to his horses and this great sport but he has let down both himself and horse racing”.
“However, we acknowledge his apology and recognise what is a very difficult time for him both professionally and personally,” they said in a statement.
Michael O’Leary had earlier also pledged his allegiance to Mr Elliott, saying that his Gigginstown operation would continue working with him.
The pair have had a long and fruitful partnership with Cheltenham Gold Cup success for Don Cossack in 2016 and successive Aintree Grand National victories for Tiger Roll among a string of high-profile prizes.
Ryanair boss Mr O’Leary said he accepted the photograph was a “momentary lapse of judgment” and not in keeping with their 15-year experience of “his concern and attention to the welfare” of their horses.
Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action, said he hoped the results of the investigations would be released publicly and that further appropriate action will be taken.
“It’s shameful to see a horseman display such disregard for the life and welfare of an equine and this incident further highlights the need for animal protection reforms in horse racing on a global scale,” Mr Irby said.
“Equine abuse is a worldwide concern, and we must put a stop to senseless deaths, the use of the whip, and prevent horses from ending up in the slaughter pipeline.”