Daily Racing Thread Sunday 28th. February 2021

McFabulous decided to run through a few instead of jumping them as well.

 

Punchestown

 

I think the picture is real, despite the poor quality it looks legit to me on closer inspection. Apparently Elliott's excuse is that they were about to put the straps on to load the horse onto a tractor when his phone rang.

Obviously the people who work with livestock are desensitised to the barbaric element we are shielded from in modern society, but there is no justification for the lack of respect the picture portrays, and its a massive blow to racing's already poor image. Whether he is finished as some are claiming, I doubt it as I don't think he can actually be charged with anything serious, there are no laws against disrespect, maybe they can find something in the rules about damaging the image of racing. His reputation is obviously permanently tarnished and i'm assuming he will lose some owners as a result, but given the high calibre of his setup hes always going to have big owners queuing up and it will probably all blow over eventually for him.

 

He has admitted it

I became aware of this old picture circulating on social media late last evening. I deeply regret and unreservedly apologise for this photo which was taken over 4 years ago. The animal suffered a cardiac aneurysm on the gallops when I made this momentary but deeply regretted lapse of judgment. As everyone who has ever visited my yard will for, horse welfare and care comes first, second and third in my life and my profession. I live for and love all the animals in my care and this devotion is mirrored daily by each and everyone of my cullentra team. I have been in contact with the I.H.R.B who are investigating this regrettable event and I will assist them in any way I can. I sincerely and unreservedly apologise for this moment of stupidity on my part. Gordon Elliott.

 

Why would a prominent horse racing figure be sat on a dead horse, on his phone, smiling, with 2 fingers up?
Is the pic posed for, if so then he is just a cnut of a man.
Is it a pic caught in a split second that looks bad?
I guess if you know the man personally you will have a good idea of the answer.

 

as opposed to the Sleep Squad?