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Originally posted by Quevega
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If the photo is real Q, that’s a major problem for him and the welfare of the sport. Let’s hope it ain’t real!! -
Hennessey said he "waved and shouted at the person taking the picture to get on with it" and "put my hand over my mouth to make the sound carry".
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Statement here. https://www.irishracing.com/news?hea...to&prid=216026
seems different but similar to the one posted and then removed from Sporting Life and RPComment
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Racing post: https://www.racingpost.com/news/late...t-image/475540
Not bothered if it costs me money, give him a good ban. Once admitted there's no explaining away, horrible look for the sport and no excuse for it at all. The explanation is embarrassing, total bollocks. Most will have owned pets or maybe even horses, would it ever cross your mind to sit on them? Never mind if it was your profession?!Last edited by Atlantic Viking; 28 February 2021, 10:38 PM.Comment
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No chance GE has one of his out on the gallops without being saddled or tacked up!
Also I find it hard to believe he’d risk his livelihood on such a stupid photo
He knows his reputation is everything he’s spent years building it up, he’s a horsey man he used to be a jockey, he surely wouldn’t do such a thing to a recently stricken animal.Comment
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Dear oh dear oh dearComment
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Stupid boy so, very stupid his reputation is everything & it’s in the gutter now. I expected much better.Originally posted by FaugheenTheMachine View PostComment
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Gordon Elliott has issued an apology and provided some context for the controversial photo that emerged on social media on Saturday night that showed him sitting on a dead horse on the side of a gallop, insisting that "horse welfare and care are at the core of everything" that is done at his Cullentra House Stables.
Elliott had already said on Twitter that he would be "cooperating fully" with an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) investigation into the image, which prompted the BHA to urge the Irish authorities to act quickly to confirm how the "shocking picture" originated.
The IHRB's official investigation remains a work in progress, but, via a statement on Sunday night, Elliott has sought to provide some background to the sequence of events that led to the picture.
The statement read: "I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon.
"Firstly, I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.
"The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.
"At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.
"I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.
"Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.
"However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologise enough.
"Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.
"Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.
"At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation."
The image, posted from an account unconnected to the Grand National and Gold Cup-winning trainer, was widely circulated on the social media platform, leading the IHRB to tweet that it was aware of the picture on social media and that "an investigation was taking place".
Elliott initially responded on Twitter to say: "I'm aware of a photo in circulation on social media. The IHRB have been in contact with me regarding this photo and I will be cooperating fully with their investigation."
How Gordon Elliott transformed Irish jump racing in an incredible decade
The IHRB had earlier tweeted: "The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is aware of an image circulating on social media and the matter is under investigation."
The IHRB chief executive Denis Egan subsequently confirmed to the Racing Post: "The photo is being investigated. Nothing else can be said at this stage until we have carried out the investigation, but it will be done quickly."
Denis Egan confirmed to the Racing Post that a picture on social media is being investigated
Patrick McCann
The British Horseracing Authority confirmed that senior members of the organisation are in close contact with their counterparts at the IHRB, while urging the authorities in Ireland to act swiftly.
A BHA spokesman said: "We hope the Irish authorities will quickly confirm how this shocking picture originated.
"Respect for horses is a fundamental value of our sport, contrary to the impression in this picture. The IHRB have assured us that the investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible and that they will keep us informed as more information becomes available."
Based at Cullentra House, near Longwood in County Meath, 42-year-old Elliott has had 148 winners this season so far in Ireland, including with Grade 3 winner Teahupoo at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
He is preparing a powerful team for the Cheltenham Festival that includes the unbeaten Envoi Allen, Abacadabras, Ballyadam and high-class juveniles Zanahiyr and Quilixios.
A representative of Cheveley Park Stud, high-profile owners of the likes of Envoi Allen, Ballyadam, Quilixios and Sir Gerhard in the Elliott yard, declined to comment on the situation on Sunday.
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Very foolish of himComment
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As excuses go, taking 24 hours to come up with 'sitting on a dead horse to take a phone call whilst waving away your team' is right up there with the best of them.
Get the heaviest book you can find, and throw it.Comment
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Away from photo gate for a second, Lambert has finally been given his marching orders from my team Ipswich tonight (officially mutual consent FC).
Paul Cook on his way in but, far more importantly, a consortium of Americans are buying the club from long term owner (and the reason we’ve had 13 years slowly deteriorating) Marcus Evans.
A new era may just be beginning and I feel inclined to tell FJ I’ve (nearly) got my club back
Edit - Typed this before the statement from Elliott. Back to photogate... what an arse he is. Ffs.Comment
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I didn't think that this could be true, horse dies and he sits on it with a grin on the phone. He deserves everything he has coming.Comment
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Jessie Harrington must have some shit eating grin on her face now.Comment
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