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Denise Foster has spoken of a “great responsibility” as she prepares to take the reins in the yard from Gordon Elliott on Monday following the suspension of the Grand National winning coach.
Elliott was Friday forbidden for 12 months, with the last six months suspended, following a referral hearing from the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board on the image posted on social media last weekend of the trainer sitting on a dead horse.
Like Elliott, Foster, who has sent in 10 winners in the past five seasons, on the Flat and in medley jumps, is based in County Meath.
An initial statement confirming the plans on Elliott’s official Twitter account was posted on Saturday afternoon, before being deleted and posted to read: “Gordon Elliott Racing is pleased to confirm that Denise Foster will take over the license at Cullentra. Stables during Gordon Elliott’s suspension.
“Denise has vast experience and her appointment is great news for the staff and owners.”
An additional statement said it expected “the current level of employment provided at our stables to continue,” adding that all entries will be made by Foster and that she will be responsible for all operations.
A seasoned jockey who has trained racehorses since 1998 when she replaced her husband, David Foster, a three-time Olympian, following his death in a riding accident, Foster will relocate her existing rope from Enfield, about five miles away, to Cullentra. for the duration.
Foster enjoyed success on the List with Lily’s Rainbow at the 2016 Heritage Stakes in Navan and counts JP McManus as one of its owners.
She said: “I am honored to replace Gordon and realize that it is a difficult act to follow. I am delighted with the contacts I have had with the owners and staff to date. This is a huge responsibility, but I couldn’t ask for a better configuration.
“I’ll take over from Monday.”
Horses allowed to run at the Cheltenham Festival
Having already imposed a provisional suspension on Elliott-trained racers in Great Britain pending the conclusion of the IHRB investigation, the British Horse Racing Authority immediately confirmed that it would correspond to the ban.
However, the BHA added that Elliott’s horses would be allowed to race at Cheltenham and Aintree if “they were transferred directly to other licensed trainers before March 9.”
Gordon Elliott Racing is pleased to confirm the Racing Post story that Denise Foster will take over the license at Cullentra Stables during Gordon Elliott’s period of suspension. Denise has vast experience and her appointment is great news for the staff and owners.
– Gordon Elliott (@gelliott_racing) March 6, 2021
An IHRB spokesperson said Saturday: “Anyone who wanted to take care of the horses in a different location would have to be a licensed trainer.
“If a licensed trainer wanted to move from his own facility to a different facility, he would have to go to the licensing committee.
“Generally, that would not be a long process.”
On Tuesday, the main owners, Cheveley Park Stud, moved their horses from Elliott to Willie Mullins and Henry from Bromhead. Among them was the undefeated Envoi Allen, who has joined De Bromhead.
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