Gordon Elliott has had his training licence suspended for 12 months, with the last six suspended.
He’s also been fined €15,000 after being photographed sitting on a dead horse.
The decision was taken following a hearing by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals committee on Friday.
Elliott says he accepts the sanction and will never disrespect a horse, living or dead, again.
“The IHRB, in general, would be known for erring on the side of leniency”, said racing journalist Kevin Blake on the decision.
“In my experience of their disciplinary matters, I don’t think you can say they’ve shirked this. I think, for a trainer in Gordon Elliot’s position, the financial and professional ramifications of this will be very, very heavy.”
The County Meath trainer will not attend a race meeting or point-to-point for a period of six months beginning from Monday.
— Gordon Elliott (@gelliott_racing) March 5, 2021
Statement from Gordon Elliot
In a statement posted to social media, Elliot says he is “not going to dodge away from this”.
“I accept my situation and my action and am satisfied with my engagement with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. It is not an easy job to sit on the panel but I was dealt with fairly.”
“I am in this situation by my own action and I am not going to dodge away from this. With my position in the sport I have great privileges and great responsibility. I did not live up to that responsibility. I am no longer the teenage boy who first rode a horse at Tony Martin’s 30 years ago. I am an adult with obligations and a position in a sport I have loved since I first saw horses race.”
“I am paying a very heavy price for my error but I have no complaints. It breaks my heart to see the hurt I have caused to my colleagues, family, friends and supporters. I have a long road ahead of me but I will serve my time and then build back better.”
“Horses are my life. I love them. No one comes into racing for money – it is a hard way to make a living. We are here because we love the horses. Anyone who has visited my stables in Cullentra will see the meticulous care with which we treat our horses. I was disrespectful to a dead horse, an animal that had been a loyal servant to me and was loved by my staff.”
“I will carry the burden of my transgressions for the rest of my career. I will never again disrespect a horse living or dead and I will not tolerate it in others.”
“Finally I want to thank my owners and my staff who, despite being let down by me, have been unstinting in their support. I will vindicate their faith in me.”
