It just should never have happened and its ramifications have reverberated around the globe.
Gordon Elliott, a champion trainer of hurdlers and steeplechasers and a man who has a large staff, allegedly answered his phone at the time he was inspecting a horse he trained who had suddenly died in the paddock.
He needed somewhere to sit while talking, so he sat…on the dead horse.
A photo was taken and now he is under enormous investigation by both the British Horse Racing Board and its Irish counterpart. And the condemnation of his actions has been palpable.
The image has just fuelled an already rabid animal warfare group who are desperate for horse racing to be banned.
We’ve stopped whip usage all over the world because of them and now, well this doesn’t sit well (pardon the pun) at all in a sport that NEEDS integrity to be front and centre of the prying eyes as the world looks on.
A common fault aimed at our sport is that it is all about the money only, and we use these beautiful animals for our pleasure and purpose against their wills. Then when done, the horses are mere disposable commodities.
This imageof Elliott, simply implies that very callousness and uncaring attitude to the lives of racehorses post racing. It was an unbelievably stupid thing to do and Elliott should be heavily, heavily punished and perhaps banning is the right way to go.
The Irish Racing Board has not announced its ruling s as yet, but the Brits have.
Until further notice ALL horses trained by him will not be able to compete in England.
That includes the famed Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National.
