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IHRB Launches Second Investigation Into Video Footage

Following the appearance of a distressing image of Gordon Elliott sitting astride a dead horse on his gallops, a further video has emerged from a separate stable of a jockey pretending to ride what appears to be another dead horse stricken on the gallops.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), which is already investigating the circumstances surrounding the photo showing leading National Hunt trainer Elliott, has indicated that it is now doing the same in regard to the eight-second video clip, which is believed to have been filmed at an Irish racing yard.

A tweet posted by the IHRB on Tuesday morning read, “The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board are aware of further social media content circulating and the matter is under investigation.”

The jockey shown in the video has subsequently been identified in a story by The Irish Field as amateur rider Rob James.

He told the The Irish Field: “I have become aware of a video circulating of me on social media. I would just like of apologise for my actions which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to a lovely 5-year-old mare, who unfortunately suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at exercise earlier that morning, Apr. 30, 2016.

“I sincerely apologise to the owners of the mare, the staff who cared for her, the horseracing industry and all followers of horseracing 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 highest-profile win of James's career to date came when riding Milan Native (Ire) to victory in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at last year's Cheltenham Festival for trainer Gordon Elliott.

While the outcome of the Elliott investigation is pending, with the IHRB referrals committee set to hear evidence on Friday, Mar. 5, the British Horseracing Authority stated on Monday that the trainer would not be allowed to have runners in Britain. His large stable includes a number of high-profile horses who are being aimed at the Cheltenham Festival, which begins on Mar. 16. Elliott has previously been leading trainer at jump racing's showcase meeting on two occasions. In 2016, he trained the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Don Cossack (Ire), one of his 32 Festival winners. Horses currently in Elliott's Cullentra House Stables will be permitted to run at Cheltenham if moved to the care of different trainers.

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Elliott Admits Photo on Dead Horse is Him

Leading National Hunt trainer Gordon Elliott, the subject of a firestorm this weekend after a photo of him sitting on a dead horse was circulated over the weekend, admitted that the photo was genuine.

Hours after saying he would cooperate with investigators without specifically addressing the validity of the photo, he relented and said that the photo was real.

The photo shows Elliott sitting astride a stricken horse on the ground. In it, the trainer is making a peace sign. Some versions circulated have the caption “New work rider.”

His statement reads:

“I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon.

“Firstly, I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.

“The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.

“At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

“I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.

“Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.

“However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologise enough.

“Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

“Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.

“At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation.”

Previously, on Saturday evening, the three-time Grand National winning trainer tweeted, “I'm aware of a photo circulating on social media. The IHRB have been in contact with me regarding this photo and I will be cooperating fully with their investigation.”

An IHRB spokesman added on Sunday,” The investigation is ongoing and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

The British Horseracing Authority has been made aware of the situation and is also in contact with the Irish authorities.

Said a BHA spokesperson, “We hope the Irish authorities will quickly confirm how this shocking picture originated. Respect for horses is a fundamental value of our sport, contrary to the impression in this picture. The IHRB have assured us that the investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible and that they will keep us informed as more information becomes available.”

Elliott is currently readying a strong squad of horses to contest the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Among his stable is two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) who is targeting the Cross-Country Chase there before a potential record-equaling third National at Aintree in April.

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Gordon Elliott Cooperating With IHRB Regarding Disputed Photo

Three-time Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott is fully cooperating with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)'s inquiry into a disputed photo allegedly displaying Elliott sitting on a dead horse, the BBC reported on Sunday. The image, which some believe to be digitally altered, appears to show Elliott making a peace gesture while sitting on a dead horse lying on its side and captioned “new work rider”.

“I'm aware of a photo circulating on social media,” the trainer tweeted late on Saturday night. “The IHRB have been in contact with me regarding this photo and I will be cooperating fully with their investigation.”

On Sunday evening, Elliott released another statement in addition which reads: “I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon.

“At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

“Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.

“Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

“Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.

“At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation.”

Early on Saturday the IHRB said that it was “aware of an image circulating on social media and the matter is under investigation.”

An IHRB spokesman added to the BBC on Sunday,” The investigation is ongoing and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

The British Horseracing Authority has been made aware of the situation and is in contact with the Irish authorities.

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IHRB Given Greater Authority For Testing

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board can gain access to and test-by blood, hair or urine sample–every Thoroughbred in the country, on licensed or unlicensed premises, without notice after being granted Authorised Officer status by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The announcement was part of a wide range of new measures and funding unveiled on Friday as part of Irish racing's anti-doping strategy. These also include the announcement of the planned development of a whole-of-life Thoroughbred traceability system, including 30-day foal notifications; the issuing of e-passports, beginning with the 2021 foal crop; and funding for installation of CCTV cameras in the stable yards at every racecourse. The IHRB has, additionally, committed to increased transparency and consistency around reports into testing, and will release a twice-yearly activity report.

“Integrity around anti-doping is a top priority for the Irish racing and breeding industry,” said Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland. “People who set out to intentionally break the rules and use prohibited substances will be identified and prosecuted. They have no place in Ireland's world-renowned racing industry and all industry bodies are committed to zero tolerance in this area.”

“We know from the number of tests performed each year, and from the variety of testing methods used, that Ireland has a robust system which operates at or above agreed global standards,” Kavanagh continued. “Additionally, there is a stringent range of penalties that can be applied by the IHRB, which can go up to a lifetime ban for horses deliberately administered a substance prohibited at all times.

“In 2021, in excess of 4000 samples will be taken from racehorses in Ireland by the IHRB, and in the region of 25% will be out of competition tests or tests taken before horses come under the care of a licensed trainer. All samples are tested in an internationally accredited reference laboratory. In addition, approximately a further 600 samples will be taken from horses for sale at public auction.

“However, this is an area that we can never be complacent about and Horse Racing Ireland has been working with the IHRB to bring about further improvements to the systems this year. Our efforts and investment remain focused on ensuring that Ireland's €2-billion equine industry, an industry that employs thousands of people and encourages significant foreign direct investment, operates one of the most comprehensive systems of testing of any racing or breeding jurisdiction in the world. This is as it should be, given the importance of the industry and the value of trade in Irish horses.”

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said, “The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board welcome the continuous support of Horse Racing Ireland and obviously share the goals of HRI, and everyone in the racing and breeding industry, to continue towards delivering a gold standard in equine anti-doping systems.

“Anti-doping never stands still. Our strategy has always been to take the right sample from the right horse at the right time. This has been one of the main drivers of a greater move towards out-of-competition testing, which in 2019 represented 18% of all samples taken–up from 7% in 2016. In percentage terms the total number of runners tested in Ireland–at 10%–is comparable to other jurisdictions.

“The appointment of IHRB officials as Authorised Officers will give the IHRB powers to access any Thoroughbred which is bred to race, at any time. No racing authority has greater powers when it comes to inspections and sampling, and this will further enhance our ability to deliver an equine anti-doping programme that is one of the best in the world.”

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