Gordon Elliott: ‘I am not going to dodge away from this’

File photo of Trainer Gordon Elliott

Gordon Elliott has received a 12-month ban from training, with the last six months suspended, it was revealed on Friday evening after a hearing of the Referrals Committee of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

The committee convened this morning to investigate the image which circulated social media of Elliott sitting astride a dead horse on his gallops. Upon the consideration, the committee found that a suspension was merited “to reflect the seriousness of the offence and the damage to the Irish racing industry, to deter other offences of this nature.” In coming to the decision to remove Elliott’s licence for the period specified, the Committee acknowledged the impact the situation has already had and will continue to have on Elliott’s career.