Gordon Elliott

[SibeliusMB]

Its interesting that both the photo and the video are from the same yard.

Yard culture says a lot.

I'm another that doesn't get overly sentimental about the body of a dead animal. I am not against (humane) horse slaughter. I've done necropsies on several horses (all humanely euthanized), and even helped our local hunt butcher one (gunshot) because I knew my way around and studied anatomy. But even in all those instances I could never fathom disrespecting the animal's memory or dishonoring what that animal gave for you. The optics of what GE did are awful for the sport and an insult to the horsemen who pour their blood, sweat, and tears into these horses. I could go into a long rant about what the animal rights nutjobs are wanting to do to our horse sports, and handing them ammunition like this puts all of us at risk.

I have to stop and remember there are great people in this sport. When I got my last horse off the track, the owner/trainer kept in touch with me for years and loved the updates I gave him. When my boy passed later away, he reached out and called me. Almost five years after the fact, he still remembered all the details from the day I came to see the horse. People like him and all those that arrive early/stay late to take care of these horses are always overshadowed by the moments of carelessness or heartlessness of others.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Its interesting that both the photo and the video are from the same yard.

Yes.

Also interesting that Rob James had others in the background who were laughing, but he gave the horse a pat as he got off it.

Of course he shouldn’t done what he did, and he would only have 23 or so at the time, so no juvenile, but how much was he egged on? Is that common practice at that yard? If the boss does it, so shall we?

 

[Wishfilly]

Yes.

Also interesting that Rob James had others in the background who were laughing, but he gave the horse a pat as he got off it.

Of course he shouldn’t done what he did, and he would only have 23 or so at the time, so no juvenile, but how much was he egged on? Is that common practice at that yard? If the boss does it, so shall we?

I get the impression he may have been egged on or at the very least seen others do similar. I also felt his statement/apology felt a lot more honest than Gordon Elliot- like he genuinely regrets his behaviour. That doesn't excuse they way he behaved of course.

I do feel it suggests a culture at this particular set up, rather than in racing as a whole.

 

[laura_nash]

Article in the Guardian on it: https://www.theguardian.com/comment...n-elliott-horse-racing-love-affair-man-animal

I'm surrounded by Irish livestock farmers here and sadly corpses waiting for collection are quite a common sight, there was a sheep yesterday. Obviously no-ones weeping over their bodies, but I can't really imagine anyone sitting on them or posing for photos with them either. It's definitely not normal behaviour and does make you wonder about the mentality of those involved.

 

[TheresaW]

I have no real interest in racing if I’m honest, and until I heard a couple of guys talking about it in work yesterday, I had no idea who GE was. When I was told he’d been photographed sitting on the deceased horse, I thought back to when I had my boy PTS. We had a bit of a wait from when the vet left, until his body was collected. I did lay down with him for a couple of minutes, across his neck to say my final goodbyes, so thought, you know, maybe?

Read this post last night and today, and when I saw the photo, I was disgusted. I know I’m soft, but that was horrible.

 

[Gingerwitch]

I have an otttb, his owners were delighted when I got in touch. We send a yearly update to them, and I get a true sense of thanks from them from keeping them in the loop on their first ever race horse.

 

[Gingerwitch]

Yes.

Also interesting that Rob James had others in the background who were laughing, but he gave the horse a pat as he got off it.

Of course he shouldn’t done what he did, and he would only have 23 or so at the time, so no juvenile, but how much was he egged on? Is that common practice at that yard? If the boss does it, so shall we?

I also find rob James apology more truthful and heartfelt. 23 is idiot territory for men with mates. Not happy what he did, but I said earlier if you pulled these boys about it they would probably burst into tears with mortification. Mr Elliott on the other hand was in his 40's and has tried to wriggle out of his actions. If he had been a man about it in the first place he may have scraped by with some sympathy from harder elements of the racing industry. But he didn't.

 

[Clodagh]

I also find rob James apology more truthful and heartfelt. 23 is idiot territory for men with mates. Not happy what he did, but I said earlier if you pulled these boys about it they would probably burst into tears with mortification. Mr Elliott on the other hand was in his 40's and has tried to wriggle out of his actions. If he had been a man about it in the first place he may have scraped by with some sympathy from harder elements of the racing industry. But he didn't.

I feel the same. He also described the body as ‘the mare’ which I felt showed he acknowledged it as a being. The pat looked like he was genuinely feeling a bit uncomfortable. IMO

 

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Deleted

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I find it almost impressive (and sad) how you and a few others manage to turn a thread of any topic into an opportunity to bully/belittle/pick on YCBM. If you don't like what she has to say then be a grown up about it and put her on UI.

Well said ownedbyaconnie, I think the tide might just (at last and thankfully) be turning here on H&H and in a very good and positive way and about time too.

 

[Mule]

I was thinking about Gordon Elliot being dropped by Betfair and it occurred to me that it's a strange relationship. A bookies sponsoring a horse trainer, wouldn't there be a conflict of interest with that, or is it a common thing in racing?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I feel the same. He also described the body as ‘the mare’ which I felt showed he acknowledged it as a being. The pat looked like he was genuinely feeling a bit uncomfortable. IMO

Stupid as anything but I do agree. He apologised, made no excuses, he called her “the mare” and I also noticed the pat.

That, I think, is absolutely stupid and crass behavior. And he deserves to feel very ashamed of himself.

I think GE is in an entirely different capacity as the trainer responsible for these animals. He’s not a twenty-something year old boy, and he has tried to make some pathetic excuses. He deserves to face the music.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’m going to say something that I know to be really stupid but it’s what I’ve been thinking since this picture came to light and I have since seen many pictures of Gordon Elliott in the media. Gordon Elliott looks like a cold eyed, hard nosed thug. For balance I look like a gargoyle.

 

[Mule]

I’m going to say something that I know to be really stupid but it’s what I’ve been thinking since this picture came to light and I have since seen many pictures of Gordon Elliott in the media. Gordon Elliott looks like a cold eyed, hard nosed thug. For balance I look like a gargoyle.

?
I was looking for a gargoyle emoji but this was the best I could find!?

 

[Andie02]

Its interesting that both the photo and the video are from the same yard.

It was mentioned on fb that it was a different yard, but not seen anywhere that it has been confirmed as such.

 

[Snowfilly]

I have no real interest in racing if I’m honest, and until I heard a couple of guys talking about it in work yesterday, I had no idea who GE was. When I was told he’d been photographed sitting on the deceased horse, I thought back to when I had my boy PTS. We had a bit of a wait from when the vet left, until his body was collected. I did lay down with him for a couple of minutes, across his neck to say my final goodbyes, so thought, you know, maybe?

Read this post last night and today, and when I saw the photo, I was disgusted. I know I’m soft, but that was horrible.

I had the same thought at first - I’ve sat huddled up to a couple of my special ones, leaning across their neck, resting on them for a cuddle goodbye. Never sat on one but I could almost see how someone could. I hoped and hoped that’s what it was, but the picture was vile.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I’m going to say something that I know to be really stupid but it’s what I’ve been thinking since this picture came to light and I have since seen many pictures of Gordon Elliott in the media. Gordon Elliott looks like a cold eyed, hard nosed thug. For balance I look like a gargoyle.

I have seen a few that look VERY like him sitting on a sulkies racing yearlings up and down the roads until they drop dead from exhaustion or get hit by other innocent road users legally using the roads and not expecting for one minute to find a fat great lump of cold eyed hard nosed thug racing a yearling on the wrong side of the road at a flat out pace. Oh but wait - surely there must be a difference between these two species that haunt the horse world,...or perhaps not

 

[bonny]

I have seen a few that look VERY like him sitting on a sulkies racing yearlings up and down the roads until they drop dead from exhaustion or get hit by other innocent road users legally using the roads and not expecting for one minute to find a fat great lump of cold eyed hard nosed thug racing a yearling on the wrong side of the road at a flat out pace. Oh but wait - surely there must be a difference between these two species that haunt the horse world,...or perhaps not

That’s a really bitchy thing to say

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

That’s a really bitchy thing to say

No dear don't be ridiculous, not bitchy my opinion is based on my experience- it is a fact of life here where I live and yes that excuse for a horseman does look VERY like plenty I have seen around this way abusing horses.

My remark was based on my own instant reaction when I saw said 'gentleman' sitting astride the dead horse, when another poster expressed their initial opinion and impression of the 'horseman' under discussion I had to agree and share my first impression of said 'gentleman'. OK? but carry on Bonny, you usually do when it is my opinion you are commenting on.

 

[Orangehorse]

So what does everyone want to happen? Drive him out of business, his staff to lose their jobs? Worse?

There should be sanctions, and no doubt the Irish Racing Board will impose a suitable punishment.

 

[Gingerwitch]

So what does everyone want to happen? Drive him out of business, his staff to lose their jobs? Worse?

There should be sanctions, and no doubt the Irish Racing Board will impose a suitable punishment.

Yes.
The good staff will find good jobs, the bad wont.
Tell me will ge be made to run up a gallop and give his all until his heart explodes..... then be mocked for dying ?
No dont think so.

 

[Gingerwitch]

Who on here remembers the CEO of Ratners ? He mocked his client base.
I think Mr Elliott has had a Ratner moment.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

So what does everyone want to happen? Drive him out of business, his staff to lose their jobs? Worse?

There should be sanctions, and no doubt the Irish Racing Board will impose a suitable punishment.

To be honest for the public perception he needs a 6 or so month ban which he can then appeal straight away to allow him to continue racing and bring his horses to Cheltenham and Aintree. Let the dust settle and put out a quiet press release of the result of the appeal which would change from a ban to a huge fine. No one loses their jobs. The yard isn't shut down etc.

In reality I think he will get a massive fine. Charles Byrne was a 6 month ban the other week because not only did he dope a horse he then layed it in the race. Firstly sedating a horse that is about to race is utterly reckless and dangerous to both horse and jockey - over jumps btw not flat. Secondly it is against all rules of racing for the horses to have drugs in their systen. Thirdly trainers can not lay their own horses to lose. He deserves his ban and fine and what he did was much much worse than what Elliot did no matter how crass the image is.

 

[Orangehorse]

To be honest for the public perception he needs a 6 or so month ban which he can then appeal straight away to allow him to continue racing and bring his horses to Cheltenham and Aintree. Let the dust settle and put out a quiet press release of the result of the appeal which would change from a ban to a huge fine. No one loses their jobs. The yard isn't shut down etc.

In reality I think he will get a massive fine. Charles Byrne was a 6 month ban the other week because not only did he dope a horse he then layed it in the race. Firstly sedating a horse that is about to race is utterly reckless and dangerous to both horse and jockey - over jumps btw not flat. Secondly it is against all rules of racing for the horses to have drugs in their systen. Thirdly trainers can not lay their own horses to lose. He deserves his ban and fine and what he did was much much worse than what Elliot did no matter how crass the image is.

Totally agree.

 

[ycbm]

in reality I think he will get a massive fine. Charles Byrne was a 6 month ban the other week because not only did he dope a horse he then layed it in the race. Firstly sedating a horse that is about to race is utterly reckless and dangerous to both horse and jockey - over jumps btw not flat. Secondly it is against all rules of racing for the horses to have drugs in their systen. Thirdly trainers can not lay their own horses to lose. He deserves his ban and fine and what he did was much much worse than what Elliot did no matter how crass the image is.

How is that not a lifetime ban offence?
.

 

[Gingerwitch]

To be honest for the public perception he needs a 6 or so month ban which he can then appeal straight away to allow him to continue racing and bring his horses to Cheltenham and Aintree. Let the dust settle and put out a quiet press release of the result of the appeal which would change from a ban to a huge fine. No one loses their jobs. The yard isn't shut down etc.

In reality I think he will get a massive fine. Charles Byrne was a 6 month ban the other week because not only did he dope a horse he then layed it in the race. Firstly sedating a horse that is about to race is utterly reckless and dangerous to both horse and jockey - over jumps btw not flat. Secondly it is against all rules of racing for the horses to have drugs in their systen. Thirdly trainers can not lay their own horses to lose. He deserves his ban and fine and what he did was much much worse than what Elliot did no matter how crass the image is.

So nothing really will happen.

 

[bonny]

How is that not a lifetime ban offence?
.

There is no proof

 

[Clodagh]

How is that not a lifetime ban offence?
.

He was not found guilty of nobbling, but of allowing the horse to b e nobbled. This is Ireland, their racing stats have to be seen to be believed! I'm very sorry all honest Irish racing people.

 

[Apizz2019]

Deleted as I'm rubbish at quoting part of a thread ??

 

[Keep Trying]

Two different instances involving the bodies of deceased race horses....
Maybe at the same yard....
Is this some sort of weird/sick/bizarre yard ritual??