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Weekly Horse Racing Blog: Gordon Elliott Ruling / Weekend Wrap


Weekly Horse Racing Blog: Gordon Elliott Ruling / Weekend Wrap

Image credit David Fitzgerald / Contributor / Gettys Images

Achoo!

In a week that saw Sneezy take over from Dopey at Cullentra Farm, let’s take a brief look back at what was literally a momentous week in the sport of horse racing.

IHRB Ruling

Several days after the damaging photograph of Gordon Elliott emerged, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) convened to discuss the affair and gave out their disciplinary ruling on Friday 5th March, which read:

“The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body (IHRB) notes the decision of the Referrals Committee involving trainer Gordon Elliott to suspend him for 12 months, of which the second six months are suspended. Mr. Elliott was found in breach of Rule 272(i) which relates to the proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing following the circulation of a picture showing Mr Elliott sitting on a dead horse.”


What next?

In what many people in some quarters are describing as a “loophole”, Elliott will be passing his horse training licence onto Denise Foster, meaning she will take charge of all his runners at Cullentra.

Elliott will obviously still be living on site so one can make their own assumptions / assessments as to his levels of involvement during this “ban”.

A PR statement from the Elliott stable on Sunday explained the current situation and gave those who do not know Foster, a little bit on her background.

“Gordon Elliott Racing announces that Denise ‘Sneezy’ Foster is to train the horses at Cullentra during the period of Gordon Elliott’s suspension.

“It is hoped that the current level of employment provided at our stables will continue.

“Sneezy is a vastly experience horsewoman who has trained racehorses since 1998 when she took over from her husband, David Foster, a three-time Olympian, following his death in a riding accident.

“She will move her existing string from Enfield, Co Meath to Cullentra (about 8km distance) for the duration.

“The entries will be made by Sneezy and she will be responsible for all operations.”

Unfortunately there looks to be a lot more mileage in this story yet with the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Festivals just around the corner, with those that believe that Elliott has simply got off with a holiday and a fine will not going be going away quietly.


Perfect Pick Me Up

Quite often with incidents and affairs like the recent Elliott case there is collateral damage from the fall out.

Innocent staff can get entangled in the furore through no fault of their own, which can be totally heartbreaking and mentally challenging for them. That was certainly the case at Cullentra last week.

On Saturday afternoon a little ray of sunshine came to the Elliott staff in the shape of the fourteen-year-old veteran Kruzhlinin who landed the Navan Members Veterans Handicap Chase.

Having already won an amazing 13 times in point-to-points, the chasing stalwart made it a ninth win under rules for Camilla Sharples, the travelling head girl for Gordon Elliott.

Sharples had been associated with Kruzhlinin when he was just a young five-year-old with the Donald McCain yard, where she then worked. Owners Paul and Clare Rooney promised him to Sharples in his later racing years and the rest is history as they say.

Under young jockey Jordan Gainford, “Kevin” jumped like a dream throughout and was a very convincing 12/1 winner. In what was a really tough week for the whole team, his victory was a real heart-warming delight. That’s what racing is all about!


Weekend Wrap

Kelso

  • My Drogo after extended his unbeaten record over obstacles to three and will head to Aintree next.
  • The Shunter set up the chance of a £100k bonus after his Morebattle Hurdle win.
  • Cloth Cap is as low as 6/1 with some bookmakers now for the Grand National after his Premier Chase romp.

Newbury

  • Umbrigado holds entries in two races at the Festival but was cut from 14/1 into 10/1 for the Paddy Power Plate after his Greatwood Gold Cup victory.
  • Millers Bank will go chasing next season after winning his fourth hurdles race from his last seven runs.

Doncaster

  • Red Infantry earned himself a place in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown next month after a pillar to post victory in the Grimthorpe Chase.

* Horse racing odds correct at the time of writing. All odds are subject to change.