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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Irish Racing to Continue Behind Closed Doors

Irish racing will continue behind closed doors despite coronavirus restrictions being maintained, the Irish Government announced on Wednesday. Only professional, elite sports, horse racing, greyhound racing and approved equestrian events are permitted to continue in this fashion, with no other matches or events allowed at this time. Racing in Ireland resumed on June 8, but owners have only been allowed briefly in September. The ban on UK travel continues until midnight on Friday, Jan. 8, and beginning on Jan. 9, all passengers coming from the UK will be required to possess a negative coronavirus PCR test acquired within 72 hours of traveling. This testing requirement prior to travel will last at least until Jan. 31.

“They will have to present that negative test at the border management unit at an airport or at the ferry terminal,” said Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan. “Failure to do so will be subject to either a fine of €2,500 or up to six months imprisonment penal provision, to make sure we get compliance.

“We expect other countries to be doing something similar and we’ll work in co-operation with other countries, and with the European Commission, to monitor and manage how this affects individuals. The cabinet’s agreed provisionally to apply the same measures to other jurisdictions, other red-list countries.

“We will work first of all introduce to the UK provisions, and we will work in the next week with European Commission and others, people involved in the travel industry, in terms of how we broaden and apply the same measures too from other jurisdictions.”

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Sheppard To Send String Of Steeplechasers To Ireland

Hall of Fame conditioner Jonathan Sheppard will send six of his steeplechase horses to compete in Ireland for the first time this year, according to the Racing Post. The outlet reported last week that Sheppard, a native of Hertfordshire, will have assistance from jockey Ger Galligan and assistant trainer Keri Brion with the string, which will be based at James Doyle's barn in Wexford.

Galligan said top runner Winston C will be among the Sheppard representation headed to Ireland and will be pointing for a race at Cheltenham.

According to the Post, only American-trained steeplechaser to win over the jumps in Britain so far is Lonesome Glory, who triumphed at Cheltenham in 1992 and again at Sandown in 1995.

Read more at the Racing Post

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Retired Champion Jockey Johnny Murtagh Joins Trainer Roster For Aga Khan Studs

The Aga Khan Studs are delighted to announce that Johnny Murtagh is to join their roster of trainers in Ireland alongside Dermot Weld and Michael Halford, and will receive a draft of yearlings this year.

Five-time Irish Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh took out his trainers' license in 2013 and has quickly met with success. The Kildare-based professional recently won his first Group 1 victory as a trainer thanks to Champers Elysees in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend.

During his illustrious career as a jockey, Johnny Murtagh enjoyed success in the most prestigious races, including all the Irish Classics, all the Group 1 contests at Royal Ascot, the Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Johnny Murtagh was closely associated to the Aga Khan Studs during his period as stable jockey to John Oxx from 1992 until 2003, famously partnering Champion racehorse SINNDAR to dual Derby heroics in Epsom and Ireland, and culminating with victory in the Arc in 2000.

In 1996, Murtagh rode the great TIMARIDA to three wins at the highest level, while other notable horses during this period were KALANISI (Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf),

Enzeli (Ascot Gold Cup) and Alamshar (Irish Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes).

The jockey renewed his link with the Aga Khan Studs, as retained jockey for the owner/breeder in 2011 and 2012, and lifted the Prix de Diane in 2012 in the saddle of Valyra. In total, Murtagh rode 16 G1 winners in the green and red silks of H.H. the Aga Khan, and a new chapter in this successful association will begin with his first runners in 2021.

“We have watched Johnny's training career develop over the last few years and undoubtedly 2020 has been a highly successful year for him,” said Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to have him train for the Aga Khan Studs and we will be sending him some yearlings in the coming weeks. His Highness and Johnny have enjoyed some great days in the past together and hopefully there will be good days to look forward to in the future as well.”

\“I am delighted to renew our partnership with H.H. the Aga Khan and his team,” said Murtagh. “A hugely successful owner/breeder operation worldwide, I look forward to receiving his draft of yearlings here at Fox Covert Stables and hopefully many winners to come, to add to our great association together.“

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