The Gordon Elliott Photo Thread

Paddy Merrigan giving his tuppence worth

 

I can see how bad it looks. And I’m not blind to the damage that photo might do to the reputation of horse racing.

But, to reiterate, I don’t see any evidence of cruelty to or maltreatment of a live animal, and I personally think that’s an important distinction.

Is a person who disrespects a dead animal more likely than others, to disrespect a living one? I honestly don’t know, that’s just speculation. It certainly isn’t evidence.

 

my view on whether this story is damaging to racing or not is that I think racing will pretty much get away with it.
the story has not really gone mainstream too much, largely because I think Gordon Elliott is not really known by anyone outside racing circles.
it would have been front page news of course had it been Frankie Dettori or AP McCoy sat on that horse (which of course they wouldnt)

 

Slight difference though, Gordon is the equivalent of a CEO as he's the boss of his stables.

It'd be like the CEO of audi posing next to a car crash. The motor industry would be up in arms but powerless to sanction him

 

It was the sports headline on the Radio 2 news this morning and it’s splashed all over the Daily Mail.

 

this isn't going to help either

FRESH SHAME FOR RACING: New video 'shows jockey Rob James jumping on top of a dead horse' | Daily Mail Online

 

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that.

 

The difference is he has a governing body that can and looks like it will sanction him.

 

Turn your paper over.

 

But they can't... there is no bringing the sport into disrepute rules in Ireland (there is on course under the stewards) covering what happens on the gallops, at the stables.
Thats the most he could be "charged" with if such a rule existed.

He'll be grand seeing as Gigginstown have given him their backing.
All the rest is his private life, e.g. riding the stable girls, breaking lockdown restrictions, and being demented on some substance.

 

Very interesting to watch that...I m sure it is a moment of madness and stupidity from Elliott.

He should be banned for 12 months and fined in my view. That probably would be sufficient. I wouldn't advocate a life time ban but the authorities do need to act decisively so that the industry does not bring itself in to disrepute.

 

I'm just waiting on the video of his partner and lover fighting in the bar where allegedly instead of breaking it up Gordon suggests "they get naked for the fight"

 

It’ll be interesting to see if this comes to pass. If it does then IHRB will be further undermined and you’d expect massive issues in the relationship with BHA.

 

You're not searching the right sites!

 

i still don't think this has been a big "talking point" story for the wider public.
it is certainly not going to be one that runs and runs outside of the racing bubble.

 

Is there a copy of the Irish Rules of Racing online anywhere? The BHA rules are easy to find and navigate but the main reason I keep referencing them in this case is because I can't find the Irish ones!

If it is true that they don't have a rule that covers behaviour detrimental to the reputation of Irish Racing (surely there must be something in the licensing conditions at least?!) then it may be the final nail in the coffin of the IHRB. If they can't show themselves to be a properly functioning regulatory body then the power needs to be taken away from them much as it was done in Britain when The Jockey Club had to hand power over to BHA in 2007 (when BHB was merged with the Horseracing Regulatory Authority which until that point was run by The JC).

 

So you don’t expect stories when one of theirs wins at Cheltenham/Aintree (GN would be perfect storm) even if running under his assistant trainers name?

It will be the first thing the media go to, and I have to say quite rightly.

 

If his horses are banned what happens to ante-post bets?

 

Scratch my last comment, I've finally found the Irish Rules! I'm afraid Hash that you are incorrect, there is a a rule under Irish racing covering bringing the sport into disrepute:

272. Any person involved in horseracing who, within the jurisdiction of the IHRB;
(i) whether verbally or by conduct or behaviour, acts in a manner which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing (whether or not such behaviour or conduct, verbal or otherwise is associated directly with horseracing); or
(ii) supplies misleading information to or gives false evidence to an Official, at a Stewards' Enquiry or at a hearing by the Referrals Committee, the Licensing Committee or the Appeals Body;
(iii) abuses, misleads, intimidates, threatens or interferes with any person including any Official involved with the administration or the control of racing
shall be in breach of these Rules and liable to sanction.

There is no list of the sanctions that I can find though.

 

They're only banned if they stay in his name, if they transfer yards they can still run and the bet stands. If they remain in the yard and cannot therefore run then some bookies might refund as a goodwill gesture but they're under no obligation to do so.