Gordon Elliott banned for 12 months and won't have runners at Cheltenham Festival

The inquest into the Gordon Elliott scandal delivered its verdict today.

Last week, an image began circulating appearing to show Elliott sitting on top of a dead horse, while posing to have his picture taken.

Elliott confirmed the picture was, indeed, real in a statement on Monday, and the horse racing world has been reeling ever since.

Today, Elliott stood before the IHRB's regulatory board at Naas racecourse. The verdict was damning, as Gordon Elliott receive a 12 month ban and was fined €15,000 for "acting in a manner which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing". 

This means that no horses will run at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival under Gordon Elliott's name. They could still appear if transfered to other yards, or if a caretaker takes over the training duties at Elliott's Cullentra stables.

Elliott has accepted his punishment and will not be appealing the verdict. After the injury, Elliott released this statement.

"I accept my situation and my sanction and I am satisfied with my engagement with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. It is not an easy job to sit on the panel but I was dealt with fairly."

"I am in this situation by my own action and I am not going to dodge away from this. With my position in the sport I have great privileges and great responsibility. I did not live up to that responsibility. I am no longer the teenage boy who first rode a horse at Tony Martin's 30 years ago. I am an adult with obligations and a position in a sport I have loved since I first saw horses race."

"I am paying a very heavy price for my error but I have no complaints. It breaks my heart to see the hurt I have caused to my colleagues, family, friends and supporters. I have a long road ahead of me but I will serve my time and then build back better."

The trainer added: "Horses are my life. I love them. No-one comes into racing for money – it is a hard way to make a living. We are here because we love the horses. Anyone who has visited my stables at Cullentra will see the meticulous care with which we treat our horses. I was disrespectful to a dead horse, an animal that had been a loyal servant to me and was loved by my staff."

"Finally I want to thank my owners and my staff who, despite being let down by me, have been unstinting in their support. I will vindicate their faith in me."