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Horse Racing Trainer Issues Apology For Disgusting Photo Of Him Sat On A Dead Horse

Horse Racing Trainer Issues Apology For Disgusting Photo Of Him Sat On A Dead Horse

Fans had assumed the picture of the Irish horse racing trainer had been photoshopped but he confirmed that wasn't the case.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

*Warning: Article includes disturbing photograph*

Irish horse racing trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed that a picture of him sitting on a dead horse is real, and not photoshopped, and has issued an apology for the incident.

Elliott, who has trained three horses to victory in the Grand National, including Tiger Roll on two occasions, was pictured sat on a dead horse at the gallops.

The picture went around social media on Sunday but most thought, and probably hoped that it was a faked or photoshopped image.

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) had started an investigation into the picture, leading to Elliott putting out a statement, confirming the legitimacy of the picture and apologising for it.

"I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon," his statement on Sunday night said.

"Firstly, I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.

"The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo, but nothing could be further from the truth

"At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

"I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.

"Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.

"However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologise enough.

"Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

"Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.

"At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation."

The offending photo. Image: Twitter
The offending photo. Image: Twitter

The British Horseracing Authority put out their own statement on the matter, saying, "We hope the Irish authorities will quickly confirm how this shocking picture originated.

"Respect for horses is a fundamental value of our sport, contrary to the impression in this picture. The IHRB have assured us that the investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible and that they will keep us informed as more information becomes available."

Betfair have confirmed that they will no longer be working with the 42-year-old trainer.

Featured Image Credit: PA/Twitter

Topics: Horse Racing, Grand National