Gordon Elliott | Horse Racing Free Tips

Elliott Head Lad Banned For Taking Photo

Simon McGonagle, head lad to currently disqualified trainer Gordon Elliott, has been banned nine months, with the last seven months of the ban suspended, by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for taking the photo of Elliott sitting aboard a dead horse that circulated on social media and led to Elliott's own six-month ban. The last seven months of McGonagle's ban will be suspended for a year, after which the disqualification will lapse. McGonagle's ban begins on Apr. 16.

McGonagle, who has been employed within the racing industry for approximately 30 years and first started working for Elliott in 2007, was found by the IHRB to have acted in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing-a charge that was also brought against Elliott. McGonagle did not contest in his hearing that he took the photograph, and the committee learned that he shared it with five friends. This ultimately led to the photograph becoming public from an unknown source. McGonagle accepted that “by virtue of his actions he was part of a chain of events that has caused damage to the integrity of racing and he fully understands the outrage expressed in relation to this image.”

The IHRB said in a statement, “We will not repeat what has been said before about the awful image at the heart of this case. The taking of the image was ill-judged and in bad taste and we consider that Mr. McGonagle should have known better as a head lad involved in the industry for a considerable time. As head lad he should also show a good example to others in the yard. However, we reiterate the points made in the Elliott case that this incident is not concerned with cruelty or horse welfare. Also, having heard the evidence in this case we are no further on as to how this image came into the public domain and we can reach no conclusions on that issue. We reach the sanction having considered all of the circumstances, aggravating and mitigating factors, bearing in mind the seriousness of the offence and the need for deterrence, and considering Mr. McGonagle's personal circumstances, in order to reach a proportionate result.”

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BHA Chief Addresses Foster Cheltenham Runners

British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive Julie Harrington said in a Zoom call with members of the media on Wednesday that she does not anticipate barriers to runners trained by Denise “Sneezy” Foster competing at Cheltenham next week, but that British racing's governing body is seeking clarification from the Irish Horse Racing Board on the conditions of Foster's license. The day after it was announced last week that leading Irish National Hunt trainer Gordon Elliott was banned for a year-with the second half of the ban suspended-after a photo surfaced of him on social media astride a dead horse in his care, it was revealed that Foster, who trained a small dual purpose string up the road from Elliott in Co. Meath, would take over Elliott's license and operate from his Cullentra Stables while he served his ban. The BHA had placed a ban on Elliott having runners in Britain while his investigation was ongoing.

Harrington said on Wednesday, “We are really pleased that our colleagues in Ireland acted swiftly, so that this wasn't hanging over us throughout the Festival. That's not as simple as to say 'let's draw a line under it and move on'–but the sanction is in place. Our temporary ban is lifted, because Mr Elliott's ban is in place, and those horses are free to run for other trainers.

“In terms of any conditions to her licence, that is a matter for the IHRB. But I'm in contact with Denis Egan [chief executive] at the IHRB, understanding what those conditions are for the good reputation of racing in Ireland and Britain. We're asking what conditions have been put in place. But that is a matter for the Irish–we're currently seeking clarifications of what conditions are put in place. We're assuming we'll know before Cheltenham. It will be conditions to the licence rather than the sanction–that is where they will be applied. We're asking for those but also making it clear what our views are on behalf of JCR [Jockey Club Racecourses] as well. We want to make sure that any horses attending are not clearly under the Gordon Elliott flag.

“I've made our views on it clear, and we're waiting to hear what conditions will be applied to Denise. Then we will also be able to look, if we're not happy, at what is available to us within our own rules. At this point we're having really good discussions, so I'm not envisaging us getting to that point [preventing the horses running].”

Though some of Elliott's former Cheltenham fancies-like Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Cheltenham Marsh Novices' Chase entrant Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB})-have been moved to other trainers, Foster is still likely to send out a handful of favourites at The Festival, with Zanahiyr (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Grand Roi (Fr) (Spanish Moon) and The Bosses Oscar (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) favoured for their respective races.

“We want the coverage to be about the great stories and the great achievements of the horses–it is the shop window for our sport,” Harrington said. “It's an opportunity for us to really shine and tell the positive stories that are linked to our sport. We're not naive, though–we know people will have questions, but what we don't want to do is detract from all the hard work that goes into preparing horses for the Festival. It would be such a shame for everybody who has worked all year to get those horses ready to not get the airtime that they deserve.

“If Denise Foster has winners at the Festival, the story being around the connections of that horse is what I hope is put forward.”

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Foster To Take Over While Elliott Serves Ban

Trainer Denise Foster will take over the license at Gordon Elliott's Cullentra Stables while Elliott serves a six-month ban handed down by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Friday after a disturbing photo surfaced last weekend on social media of Elliott sitting astride a dead horse in his care. The news of Foster's takeover was first reported by the Irish Field, with Racing Post later confirming the appointment with Foster.

Elliott was on Friday given a 12-month ban, with the last six months suspended, and an order to pay €15,000 towards the IHRB's costs for the case. Details of the suspension of the second half of the ban, such as how long the suspension will apply and what actions would trigger its institution, have not been revealed. The ban will come into effect on Mar. 9. Elliott was charged under Rules 272 and 273 (xiii) of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules which, respectively, address individuals acting “in a manner which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing” and any act “likely to be prejudicial to the interests of the IHRB or which is likely to cause serious damage to the interests of horseracing in Ireland.” The horse in the photo was Morgan (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}), a then 7-year-old mare owned by Gigginstown House Stud who is believed to have suffered a heart attack during routine morning exercise in 2019. In the photo, Elliott was sitting on the horse while on the phone and appears to be giving the 'victory' sign.

Elliott said in a statement released through his Gordon Elliott Racing Twitter account on Friday that he accepts the situation, and he assured the IHRB that he would not attend any formal race meetings or point-to-point fixtures for six months. A statement released on Saturday on Elliott's Twitter account with regards to Foster's appointment read, “Gordon Elliott Racing is pleased to confirm the Racing Post story that Denise Foster will take over the license at Cullentra Stables during the period of Gordon Elliott's suspension. Denise is vastly experienced and her appointment is great news for staff and owners. Gordon will be available to assist her as she requires.”

A few hours later, the statement was re-posted with the last line removed. The tweet containing the original statement was deleted.

Foster, who is based down the road from Elliott in Co. Meath, has trained the winners of 10 races-six on the flat and four over jumps-over the past five seasons. The 67-year-old told Racing Post she would be moving her “nine or 10” horses to Cullentra.

“It's daunting, but exciting,” she said. “I'm really looking forward to it. It feels right and I feel very comfortable with it. I've known Gordon for a long time and I already know a lot of his staff. He has an incredible team here. I only live up the road so it just feels right. There has been huge support of these plans from his owners which is very encouraging. I'm incredibly proud of all Gordon has achieved and through all that success he has remained Gordon Elliott. I've been in awe of him and everything he's done in the last few years.”

Prior to the emergence of the photo last weekend, Elliott was in line to have a typically power-packed lineup for the Cheltenham Festival, Britain's most important jumps meeting, beginning on Mar. 16. Cheveley Park Stud was among those to move its horses from Elliott-including its star novice chaser Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB})–prior to the ban being handed down, while Gigginstown Stud was among those to voice their support of the trainer. The British Horseracing Authority had moved swiftly and banned Elliott from having runners in the UK while the IHRB's investigation was ongoing, and on Friday the BHA reciprocated Elliott's ban and said horses formerly under Elliott's care would be permitted to compete at Cheltenham should they be moved directly to new trainers before Mar. 9.

With the National Hunt season set to conclude at the end of April, Elliott is Ireland's leading trainer by winners with 155. He has won seven races this week and his Kruzhlinin (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}) won a handicap chase at Navan on Saturday.

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Trainer Gordon Elliott Suspended Six Months For Bringing ‘Sport Into Disrepute’

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) released the result of its hearing into the actions of leading jumps trainer Gordon Elliott on Friday. The IRHB decided to suspend Elliott for 12 months, of which the second six months are suspended, according to the racing authority's website.

The following was published on the IHRB website after the results of the hearing were made public:

“Elliott was found in breach of Rule 272(i) which relates to the proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing following the circulation of a picture showing Mr. Elliott sitting on a dead horse.

“Ireland is recognized internationally as being a world leader in the racing industry. This success is based on the highest professional standards being followed by all participants. Where rules are breached they will be dealt with rigorously, fully, and impartially by the IHRB.

“This case was heard by the Referrals Committee today, chaired by Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke, accompanied by The Hon. Mrs. Justice Siobhan Keegan and Mr. Nick Wachman.

“Speaking about the decision of the Referrals Committee, Denis Egan, CEO of the IHRB said:

“'Where breaches of rules occur and where participants in racing act in a manner that brings the sport into disrepute, there are no winners, and in fact, the loss is to Irish racing with damage to the reputation of the sport. Having acted with thoroughness and having followed due process at all times, the IHRB team are satisfied that the case has been dealt with fairly and appropriately.

“'Our team who prepared the case worked tirelessly since the issue emerged just a few days ago and ensured their investigation, presented today and with the support of our legal team, was thorough, fair to the parties involved, and above all, focused on ensuring that the integrity and good reputation of the sport is upheld.'

“The IHRB will carry out unannounced stableyard inspections on more than 100 days this year in addition to sampling over 5,000 horses, regulating over 380 race meetings, approximately 100 Point-to-Point fixtures and will pursue with impartiality any rule breaches that we uncover.

“Mr. Egan added: “Ireland and its racehorse trainers, riders, breeders and workers are held in high regard globally providing some of the very best horses and the very best racing talent.

“'We recognize the heartfelt upset that this matter has caused to people inside and outside of racing, none more so than to the staff employed by Mr. Elliott. We also see at first hand both on the racecourse and as part of our stable inspection program that horses receive unrivalled care, attention, and affection. Indeed, as part of the investigation into this very case, an unannounced stable inspection of Mr. Elliott's yard this week led to no concerns about the welfare of the horses in his care, as has been the case during any other inspection we carried out at his premises each year. In our opinion the incident covered in today's hearing is not reflective of Irish racing.'”

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