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The Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board’s referral committee met at 9.30am this morning to hear evidence from the investigation into lead trainer Gordon Elliott’s conduct.
A photo of Elliott sitting on a dead horse appeared on social media last weekend, and the trainer admitted the image was genuine in a statement issued Sunday night.
The Cullentra House manager still saddles riders on this side of the Irish Sea, but the British Horse Racing Authority has banned him from having riders in Britain, pending the outcome of the IHRB hearing.
Many had assumed that Friday’s hearing would take place remotely due to current Covid-19 restrictions, but it emerged on Thursday that the parties in question would meet in person on Friday morning, and it is believed that the Curragh headquarters of the IHRB is the place for procedures. However, the hearing takes place in an undisclosed location.
The IHRB, in accordance with protocol, has chosen not to identify the members of the referral committee and what specific charges Elliott could face.
In the event Elliott is found guilty of any crime, he could face a suspension from the sport and / or a maximum fine of 20,000 euros.
The winning Grand National coach would have seven days to appeal any sanctions and could send runners for up to 14 days from the date of the final verdict.
With governing bodies in foreign jurisdictions almost always reciprocal and respecting judgments rendered in territories outside of their purview, that means Elliott could, in theory, send runners to the Cheltenham Festival.
However, the BHA has the discretionary power to reject any coach’s entries.
The undefeated Envoi Allen is the highest-profile horse stripped from Elliott’s ranks amid the controversy, with Henry of Bromhead taking over the training duties of the favorite for the Marsh Novice Hunt at Cheltenham.
Envoi Allen is one of the stars owned by Cheveley Park Stud sent to De Bromhead and champion trainer Willie Mullins.
Noel and Valerie Moran, who are Elliott Yard local but new to large-scale racehorse ownership, are adopting an observation report for now and are awaiting the hearing’s decision before making a public decision on the future of their horses.
However, Gigginstown House Stud, owner of Morgan, Elliott’s horse in the offensive image, sticks with the trainer, describing the incident as a “serious but momentary lapse of judgment.”
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