General Chat

[Exar Essay]

....ATR breaking news that BHA are considering its own options regarding Elliott.

Not sure how they can impose something immediate that still allows his runners to come over in a fortnight.

What a mess.

My guess is that this is a shot across the bows of the IHRB i.e. don't you dare go lightly on him or we'll be waiting to impose our own sanctions.

[Diamond Geezer]

BHA press release

Following confirmation from Gordon Elliott that an image circulating of him on social media over the weekend is authentic, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today issued the following statement:

The BHA is appalled by the image that appeared this weekend. We expect all those in our sport to demonstrate respect for horses, on the racecourse, in the training yard, on the gallops, and wherever they have horses in their care. People who work in our industry believe their values – of caring for and respecting our horses – have been deeply undermined by this behaviour. On their behalf, and on behalf of all horse-lovers, we say unequivocally that British horseracing finds this totally unacceptable.

The BHA is considering its own regulatory options, recognising that the Irish authorities license Mr Elliott and are carrying out their own investigation.

[Scooby91]

They might be in it for the love but equally the owners are not going to walk away from some decent prize money.

I am confident we will be seeing the runners above through one way or another. If they are that concerned about PR then I guess you would expect a trainer change prior to the festival

That is not an option under current rules. You Have to be registered for a new yard 14 days prior.

today would have been the last day for day 1. And not enough time to register and be 14 days now. I'd have thought.

[Carnage at Taunton]

BHA press release

Following confirmation from Gordon Elliott that an image circulating of him on social media over the weekend is authentic, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today issued the following statement:

The BHA is appalled by the image that appeared this weekend. We expect all those in our sport to demonstrate respect for horses, on the racecourse, in the training yard, on the gallops, and wherever they have horses in their care. People who work in our industry believe their values – of caring for and respecting our horses – have been deeply undermined by this behaviour. On their behalf, and on behalf of all horse-lovers, we say unequivocally that British horseracing finds this totally unacceptable.

The BHA is considering its own regulatory options, recognising that the Irish authorities license Mr Elliott and are carrying out their own investigation.

I think what happens next re the BHA is massive for the reputation of our sport.
And could well be massive for the future of our sport.

[Eggs]

....following the BHA statement, I’m finding it increasingly hard to see a situation where Elliott will be allowed runners on these shores for the foreseeable future. The statement is firm and unequivocal, they would look weak if a post-Festival ban was imposed.

if the increasingly inevitable happens, I have no idea what companies will do with bets wagered on Elliott horses.

[Quevega]

Agreed RC thanks

no more posting on here for me

good luck all

If you do that, for one person's comment then you kind of (in a small way) prove him right.
But it's your choice.
And is respected.

[FaugheenTheMachine]

That is not an option under current rules. You Have to be registered for a new yard 14 days prior.

today would have been the last day for day 1. And not enough time to register and be 14 days now. I'd have thought.

That’s not true according to the oracle that is Rory Delargy

Either way after that very strong statement from the BHA I think we can safely say we won’t be seeing Gordon’s name as trainer at Cheltenham

[Carnage at Taunton]

My guess is that this is a shot across the bows of the IHRB i.e. don't you dare go lightly on him or we'll be waiting to impose our own sanctions.

They cant go lightly on him. Well they can, but it would be folly to do so.

[Muswell]

Rory Delargy says the 14 days does not apply here as they are already in a yard https://twitter.com/helynsar/status/...930044424?s=21

[Spectre]

Whilst I'm horrified by what I saw, Elliott hasn't been neglectful. There's no cruelty involved. He has been incredibly stupid though, albeit he would have thought it was behind closed doors.

There is no specific offence involved, although I'd imagine he'll be charged with bringing the sport into disrepute. I've no idea what tarrif the Irish Board can levy for that though. The BHA however should be staying out of it until a full investigation is completed. It's not their investiation to carry out, and therefore any sancltions outside of the offficial investigation would be unwise. They'd certainly be unwise preventing the horses in his care coming over to Cheltenham, as I'm sure they'd be facing multiple lawsuits.

It's also worth remembering that Elliott didn't put the picture into the mainstream media/social media. A third party has done that. Not by bringing it to the attention of the Irish Horse Racing Authority, but by maliciously posting it on social media. I'm angry at Elliott's stupity, but I want to hunt the bastard down that posted the photo and string him up. I'm genuinely surprised more of you guys don't feel the same? We are all shocked by the image we've seem, and the stupidity that Elliott has shown, but why isn't it being considered how it came to our attention in the first place, who put it there, and what the motivation was?

The personal vendetta this individual has against Elliott is what has caused the outrage, and it's the posting of it on social media that threatens to bring the sport we all love down. It's actually not Gordon sitting on a horse in private (and in the worst possible taste), at his own premises, behind closed doors that's the problem. It is, but you know what I mean. When people get past the emotion and realise what's actually happened here, the idiot that posted the image may need to find a new country to live in.

[ryanh97]

....following the BHA statement, I’m finding it increasingly hard to see a situation where Elliott will be allowed runners on these shores for the foreseeable future. The statement is firm and unequivocal, they would look weak if a post-Festival ban was imposed.

if the increasingly inevitable happens, I have no idea what companies will do with bets wagered on Elliott horses.

Surely they can just suspend Elliott and the horses can run under the assistant trainers name? The owners who spend thousands in the sport shouldn't be punished.

[Scooby91]

Rory Delargy says the 14 days does not apply here as they are already in a yard https://twitter.com/helynsar/status/...930044424?s=21

That would depend on what they do with the licence I'd be assuming. And unaware if it counts when / if the licence is removed.

but hopefully we will find out sooner rather than later. However I would be prepared for the worst, then you wont be disappointed.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Surely they can just suspend Elliott and the horses can run under the assistant trainers name? The owners who spend thousands in the sport shouldn't be punished.

Yep, the horses and owners should not be punished, just those that are part of the whole disgraceful business..........Elliott and whoever else were there at the time.

[Saxon Warrior]

Surely they can just suspend Elliott and the horses can run under the assistant trainers name? The owners who spend thousands in the sport shouldn't be punished.

That's a likely outcome, owners/horses wont be banned, its an individual who is being investigated.

Owners could move stables, but I would guess that if any intend to do this (after the IHRB ruling, and awaiting any appeal) they wouldn't do that until after Cheltenham.

I am not worried at all about Festival bets on horses at Elliotts stable.

[ryanh97]

It's also worth remembering that Elliott didn't put the picture into the mainstream media/social media. A third party has done that. Not by bringing it to the attention of the Irish Horse Racing Authority, but by maliciously posting it on social media. I'm angry at Elliott's stupity, but I want to hunt the bastard down that posted the photo and string him up. I'm genuinely surprised more of you guys don't feel the same? We are all shocked by the image we've seem, and the stupidity that Elliott has shown, but why isn't it being considered how it came to our attention in the first place, who put it there, and what the motivation was?

The personal vendetta this individual has against Elliott is what has caused the outrage, and it's the posting of it on social media that threatens to bring the sport we all love down. It's actually not Gordon sitting on a horse in private (and in the worst possible taste), at his own premises, behind closed doors that's the problem. It is, but you know what I mean. When people get past the emotion and realise what's actually happened here, the idiot that posted the image may need to find a new country to live in.

I kind of get where you're coming from Spectre but we can talk about how he could've released it but only one thing is certain... If Elliott hadn't done it, then there wouldn't be an issue. He has himself, and only himself, to blame.