General Chat

[robith]

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.

They've got nothing to post if Elliott hadn't done it though

[Eggs]

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.

....as far as the Festival is concerned, I wonder if the only way out of this is for Elliott to withdraw himself from training horses, racecourses and public appearances for the remainder of this season, leaving operation of his stable to others.

[Attaglance]

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.

I understand totally what you are saying here Spectre. From what I gather Gordon brought this on himself ... can’t say more than that...

[Scooby91]

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.

The actual matter is far wider and far more important than that, and clearly Gordon would have an issue with the person who posted it. But has to blame himself for doing it.

Anyone else should absolutely not have an issue with who posted it. It is something unacceptable that needed to come to light. In fact the person should be rewarded.

For anyone to have an issue with that being shared, they're clearly thinking about the possible ruin of their Antepost bets, which is extremely distasteful and a very small part of the picture.

[Brital]

The actual matter is far wider and far more important than that, and clearly Gordon would have an issue with the person who posted it. But has to blame himself for doing it.

Anyone else should absolutely not have an issue with who posted it. It is something unacceptable that needed to come to light. In fact the person should be rewarded.

For anyone to have an issue with that being shared, they're clearly thinking about the possible ruin of their Antepost bets, which is extremely distasteful and a very small part of the picture.

I think that’s a totally unfair accusation to make.
You can have an issue with someone posting on Twitter and it not involve your antepost book.
I certainly do, the idiot who did this, could cause serious problems for the sport. One years antepost may pale into insignificance compared to the long term impacts.

what exactly needed to come out as well?
Horses die, we knew that.

[Spectre]

The actual matter is far wider and far more important than that, and clearly Gordon would have an issue with the person who posted it. But has to blame himself for doing it.

Anyone else should absolutely not have an issue with who posted it. It is something unacceptable that needed to come to light. In fact the person should be rewarded.

For anyone to have an issue with that being shared, they're clearly thinking about the possible ruin of their Antepost bets, which is extremely distasteful and a very small part of the picture.

If the individual was concerned, then the place to send the image was the IHRA not plastered across social media. This was celarly malicious.

To suggest I'm saying what I said because of my bets is as far wide of the mark as it gets, and completely out of order.

[ToniC]

The actual matter is far wider and far more important than that, and clearly Gordon would have an issue with the person who posted it. But has to blame himself for doing it.

Anyone else should absolutely not have an issue with who posted it. It is something unacceptable that needed to come to light. In fact the person should be rewarded.

For anyone to have an issue with that being shared, they're clearly thinking about the possible ruin of their Antepost bets, which is extremely distasteful and a very small part of the picture.

They’re not some heroic whistleblower though are they? They’ve held on to that photo for years and aren’t now releasing it because they care & want to do the right thing, they’re doing it to try & ruin Gordon’s career & reputation.

And the fucking BHA have some cheek, the state their house is in. Maybe Gordon should kidnap his daughter, he’d surely be beyond reproach then.

[Birds Nest]

Agreed RC thanks

no more posting on here for me

good luck all

Its the sin of social media Liam, people just type as if they're sat round a table with a few mates and things are typed or said in a second when on reflection they probably didnt mean for their words to be taken in a way that could cause offence. Im sure the comment made about you wasn't meant in the way it read. I bet the both of you feel quite bad it now. So please dont leave Liam because of it, youd be missed mate.

[germanshepherd]

The actual matter is far wider and far more important than that, and clearly Gordon would have an issue with the person who posted it. But has to blame himself for doing it.

Anyone else should absolutely not have an issue with who posted it. It is something unacceptable that needed to come to light. In fact the person should be rewarded.

For anyone to have an issue with that being shared, they're clearly thinking about the possible ruin of their Antepost bets, which is extremely distasteful and a very small part of the picture.

Rewarded for holding onto it for 2-years and leaking it at the time it could cause maximum damage? If the person who leaked the photo cares so much about horses and not their venedetta with the trainer why not release it ASAP?

[Carnage at Taunton]

They’re not some heroic whistleblower though are they? They’ve held on to that photo for years and aren’t now releasing it because they care & want to do the right thing, they’re doing it to try & ruin Gordon’s career & reputation.

And the fucking BHA have some cheek, the state their house is in. Maybe Gordon should kidnap his daughter, he’d surely be beyond reproach then.

Well i have no idea what the reasons were for this to come out now, but like others i can hazard a guess as to why now.
Point is though the powers that be have to be seen to act accordingly and quickly.
Also, and this is no offence to anyone, all this Gordon and Gordy business? really?? fine if one knows him personally, but right now i would prefer to call him a word beginning with C !!

[Istabraq]

....as far as the Festival is concerned, I wonder if the only way out of this is for Elliott to withdraw himself from training horses, racecourses and public appearances for the remainder of this season, leaving operation of his stable to others.

I can’t see how this is possible given the licence is in Elliotts name and therefore he has personal responsibility and liability for everything that goes on in the operation, transferring this to AN Other is an admin minefield and requires a mountain of risk assessments, contracts and insurances being re-written, costed etc, it’s a mammoth task, doable but a big effort needed at a time when their focus should be on getting horses ready for races...

[Rooster Booster]

I think that’s a totally unfair accusation to make.
You can have an issue with someone posting on Twitter and it not involve your antepost book.
I certainly do, the idiot who did this, could cause serious problems for the sport. One years antepost may pale into insignificance compared to the long term impacts.

what exactly needed to come out as well?
Horses die, we knew that.

The fact that some are already redirecting their anger away from the professional sitting on the dead horse is exactly why the rest of the world have no faith in racing’s ability to get its house in order. There will always be someone else to blame The reality is if racing cannot fix what is perceived as broken itself then others will do it for them. This is simply the way of the world.

How do we feel when we see a footballer partying when the rest of us are adhering to lockdown protocol. Do we feel angry at the footballer or the person that posted the image. This is exactly how the outside world will view this.

[archie]

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.

People wilI know that I'm no Gordon fanboy but I'm very uncomfortable about him being branded guilty without a trial.

He has offered an explanation as to the circumstances. While that explanation sounds unlikely it is not impossible and without other proof it's doubtful that he would be found guilty in a court of law. In a disciplinary hearing it will be more down to the balance of probabilities but, if the photo remains anonymous and no-one else comes forward to support the 'trophy photo' story, it's hard to see how anyone prosecuting the case can provide even that level of proof.

As a by the by, if the horse is Morgan, he died as a 7yo, ie in 2019.

[Magpie]

IMO it’s all academic who took the photo, and the timing of them releasing it. The main point is that Elliot has done what he has done, and the implications this has for racing. Doping scandals whilst not great, do not make mainstream news, this does. Racing future and reputation to some degree is governed by what the public think, what a sad situation we have now.

[Altior]

Imagining thinking the photo taker deserves credit for this... One look at the caption would convince you otherwise.