My reading between the lines on the Charles Byrnes case was that they couldn't prove it was him that doped the horse (no CCTV!) so they had to get him on a lesser charge of not supervising the horse at all times. Just like the only thing they could jail Al Capone for was tax evasion.
Its well known over here that the majority of the horsey clique despise Elliott because he's an outsider. He wasn't born into the horse game his father is a mechanic. The horse families didn't take to well to an outsider coming in to their game and (besides Willy Mullins ) being better than them
liabilities as in bets, not money in their pot. Rumours are rife, I don’t know and to be honest I’m surprised we haven’t heard.
There was a really interesting article i read where Dan Skelton was of the view that the Irish horses were getting easier preps as the top horses rock up and take on next to no one over there. In addition the ones coming over for the handicap races get dealt with leniency by the handicapper. There are some who are of the opinion that the likes of Mullins and Elliott to qualify runners for a race at Cheltenham should run their horses over here. I would welcome that move or a move similar. Imagine any horse who wants to run in a graded or handicap race at Cheltenham needs to put in an appearance over here in that season first. Would be a good move in my book..
Yes evidence to see if they will investigate. Its like a court case , have to give evidence to the DPP and they say whether or not the evidence is sufficient enough to bring charges
I am absolutely flbbergasted to read on here that racing fans question whether a dead horse deserves respect! I hope when your Nan dies you choose carefully which funeral home to engage.
No one has questioned that. And my Nan had many qualities, but she was never entered in the Triumph Hurdle. Get a grip ffs.
If its "just an animal" to you then I can tell you now that YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE WRONG SPORT. All it is to you is a betting medium. There are many on here that will understand what I am saying. I definitely have a grip!
Accept that people have different reactions to different issues, have different sensitivities. It wasn't so long ago you were telling us the UK economy was going to go down the toilet after Brexit
Very interesting interview with Richard Thompson, director of Cheveley Park Stud, announcing the decision to withdraw their 8 horses from Elliott's yard. The stud has been in operation since 1976 and clearly felt the need to do the right thing. Sounds like their horses will indeed be heading to Cheltenham, including Envoi Allen
Starting with the original act, Gordon Elliott’s action was reprehensible irrespective of somebody having photographed the incident. Why the photograph of the incident has suddenly surfaced on social media at this time is academic. It has clearly brought the sport into disrepute and he has admitted that his actions did not conform to those expected of somebody in a high profile position within the racing industry. It would, therefore, seem logical that the Irish racing authorities should be able to act quickly to review the evidence and mete out punishment. Given that they will only be investigating the one incident, a lifetime ban for this solitary indiscretion would seem severe. One suspects that if they just issued a fine (pocket change to a successful trainer) and a slapped wrist the cries of indignation from outside the industry would be loud, so some sort of ban would seem inevitable. For the sake of those that earn their livelihoods in Elliott’s yard, it has to be hoped that they grant a temporary license to an assistant or someone else who can continue the operation during his exclusion. If they choose to investigate Elliott’s training operation further then that is surely a matter that should only be considered once investigations have concluded, since I presume that Ireland operates under the same legal tenet as Britain that persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. With regard to the other claims being made about Elliott on social media, it seems reasonable to question why those complaining had not brought forward their allegations in a timelier manner as this does give the impression of simply looking to jump on the bandwagon with old vendettas. The head of the IHRB is not somebody called Mullins, is it?