Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ANOTHER BAD JOCK..
HORSERACING PLUNGED Clip emerges of Rob James laughing while on dead horse Cheltenham star apologises for ‘stupidity’ from 2016 video
HORSERACING was embroiled in more scandal yesterday after a new video emerged showing an amateur jockey on a dead horse.
Rob James, who tasted Cheltenham Festival success for trainer Gordon Elliott last year, apologised over the shocking footage which was recorded almost five years ago.
It shows the jockey getting on the horse, who died from a heart attack during a piece of work, and laughing as three other men looked on.
The sickening clip began to be shared online just a couple of days after Elliott admitted that a photo of him sitting on a dead horse while on his phone was real. James’ biggest day in the saddle came when partnering Milan Native, who is owned by Michael O’leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, to victory in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Prestbury Park 12 months ago for the Co Meath handler.
The 28-year-old was scheduled to ride in the final race at Gowran Park yesterday, but his mount was declared a non-runner. He said his actions were “wholly inappropriate and disrespectful”, adding that trying to defend his “stupidity” would “add further insult”.
He told The Irish Field: “I have become aware of a video circulating of me on social media.
“I would just like apologise for my actions which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to a lovely five-year-old mare, who unfortunately suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at exercise earlier that morning, April 30, 2016.
“I sincerely apologise to the owners of the mare, the staff who cared for her, the horseracing industry and all followers of horse racing for my actions. To try defending my stupidity at the time would add further insult and hurt to the many loyal people that have supported me during my career. I have caused embarrassment to my employers, my family and most importantly the sport I love.
“I am heartbroken by the damage I have caused and will do my best to try and make amends to those hurt by my conduct.”
The Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board said they were investigating the video as well as the photo of Elliott.
A short IHRB statement yesterday read: “The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board are aware of further social media content circulating and the matter is under investigation.”
Meanwhile, top horses owned by Cheveley Park Stud will be moved
from Elliott’s stable ahead of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
The decision about the team, which includes unbeaten superstar Envoi Allen, comes after Elliott was prevented from having runners in Britain while the picture is investigated.
Envoi Allen, rated an Irish “banker” of the fourday meeting in the Marsh Novices’ Chase, will be trained by Henry de Bromhead, along with fellow unbeaten performer Quilixios and Ballyadam.
Meanwhile, Sir Gerhard, a leading contender for top honours in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, will head to Willie Mullins’ yard. Eight horses in total are being moved, with Cheltenham just two weeks away. Richard Thompson, director for Cheveley Park Stud, told Sky Sports Racing: “We had to consider what was happening and the backdrop that Cheveley’s reputation – the most important British-owned breeding operation in the UK – the fact the reputation has built up and the responsibility to the industry, we had to take that decision and do the right thing.
“For the time being we are moving the horses and that’s it. Last night
Elliott said he is “heartbroken” amid the photo controversy that has rocked horse racing.
The 43-year-old Meath trainer told the Racing Post: “What other way could I be? It is gut-wrenching to see the impact all of this is having on my staff.
“They have been the ones who have brought such success to the yard.
“They are gutted, each and every one of them. To see them suffering because of something I have done is hard to stomach.
“I’m very lucky to have some great friends around me, people who have stuck by me despite all of this, and they are doing their best to pick me up off the floor. It’s heartbreaking to see what is happening.” Elliott has issued an emotional apology to Envoi Allen’s groom Seanin Mahon.
He said: “I cannot stress how sorry I am for Seanin.
“She has been there with Envoi every step of the way. Nobody in the world has any idea of the care she has given that horse over the last few years. She loved him more than she loved anything else in life.
“I used to see her going to his box every morning and she would almost be skipping towards his stable. She just could not wait to see him every morning. You could never take the smile off her face.
“Seanin treated that horse like it was her own child. My heart goes out to her.”
I’m very lucky to have some great pals around me GORDON ELLIOT YESTERDAY