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Irish investigation ongoing into appalling images on social media
The British Horseracing Authority will prevent Gordon Elliott from having runners in Britain while the Irish authorities investigate the photograph of the leading trainer sitting on a dead horse which appeared on social media over the weekend.
The BHA has used powers under its own rules to halt Elliott's involvement in British racing by not accepting entries from the trainer pending consideration of the outcome of the investigation being carried out by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
However, owners will be permitted to transfer horses to a different trainer and run them at British meetings. Elliott has 104 entries in the early-closing races at this month's Cheltenham Festival.
On Tuesday it was announced that Cheveley Park Stud would move all their horses – including unbeaten gelding Envoi Allen – to the yards of Henry de Bromhead and Willie Mullins, while the Noel and Valerie Moran-owned Zanahiyr.
Meanwhile, one of Elliott’s biggest owners Gigginstown House Stud have said they will stand by the trainer, despite the image which has shocked the world of racing.
A BHA statement on Monday evening read: "The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will not allow the Irish trainer Gordon Elliott to race horses in Britain whilst the Irish authorities investigate an image that appeared on social media over the weekend.
"The trainer admitted the photo was genuine and apologised for his actions.
"The BHA, which regulates racing in Britain, will use powers under its own rules to refuse to allow horses trained by Mr Elliott to race in Britain pending consideration of the outcome of the Irish investigation.
"The action taken by the BHA recognises that Mr Elliott is licensed in Ireland, whose regulatory body, the IHRB, is carrying out its own investigation.
"However, Mr Elliott has entered horses to race in Britain, from which point the British Rules of Racing apply to him.
"The decision to refuse to allow horses trained by Mr Elliott to run in Britain is therefore an interim decision which the BHA regards as proportionate in these circumstances.
"In an earlier statement, the BHA said it was appalled by the image which undermined its values of respecting and caring for horses."
Elliott is said to be "cooperating fully" with an investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) into the image, and HRI said it supports the investigation and will not be making any further comment until it has completed. No date for a hearing into the matter has been confirmed by the IHRB.
The statement from HRI read: "Horse Racing Ireland unreservedly condemns the disturbing photograph that appeared on social media at the weekend.
"This image does not reflect the care, attention and respect that racehorses receive, and does a disservice to the thousands of people who look after their horses on a daily basis. Horse Racing Ireland notes and supports the IHRB investigation into the circumstances around the photograph.
"From a disciplinary perspective, the matter is in process, so any further comment on the matter or the detail of the case at this time would not be appropriate."
Meanwhile, the IHRB are also investigating a new video of amateur rider Rob James sitting on a dead horse, which was circulating on social media on Tuesday.
The amateur jockey confirmed it was him in the video and has issued an apology for the footage.