Racing Thread

[arbboy]

Have betfair dropped him yet as an sponsor?

[tikay]

Have betfair dropped him yet as an sponsor?

I'd be extremely surprised if they don't.

I also think the Horse Racing authorities will take a very dim view of it, though I'm not aware of what sanctions or penalties they have in their armoury for cases like this.

The whole thing is almost a Gerald Ratner moment.

[tikay]

Have betfair dropped him yet as an sponsor?

Seems they have, yes;



https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14194735/gordon-elliott-axed-betfair-photo-horse/



A Betfair spokesperson commented: "While we recognise that Gordon Elliott deeply regrets and apologised unreservedly for his poor judgement, his actions are completely at odds with the values of the Betfair brand and that of our employees.


"With that in mind, we have decided to discontinue our association with Gordon with immediate effect."

[Doobs]

It is causing carnage in the antepost markets.   Just looked at the  Marsh Novices (Envoi Allen race) and a lot of halved in price.   Was right looking forward to Cheltenham.

[tikay]

It is causing carnage in the antepost markets.   Just looked at the  Marsh Novices (Envoi Allen race) and a lot of halved in price.   Was right looking forward to Cheltenham.

Why? The threat he may face some sort of ban & so his horses won't be at Cheltenham?

Would not be surprised if Envoi Allen, trained by Elliott, is removed from the yard, as it's owned by Cheveley Park Stud I believe.

[tikay]

O'Leary, ever the reasoned gentleman, is standing by Elliott.



https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/we-all-want-mistakes-leading-owners-gigginstown-stand-by-gordon-elliott/475729

[Doobs]

It is causing carnage in the antepost markets.   Just looked at the  Marsh Novices (Envoi Allen race) and a lot of halved in price.   Was right looking forward to Cheltenham.

Why? The threat he may face some sort of ban & so his horses won't be at Cheltenham?

Would not be surprised if Envoi Allen, trained by Elliott, is removed from the yard, as it's owned by Cheveley Park Stud I believe.

If it was some random trainer with 15 winners a season and the photo appeared in summer you'd expect a short term ban, at the least.  So that should be what happens here?

I don't think it will, but if you are on a 12/1 chance in the Marsh, your horse should be 6/1 if the ban happens. 

Take Energumene as an example.  It is going for the Arkle, but you could get 6/1 NRNB for the Marsh.  Only way that happens is if Envoi Allen doesn't show.  It is now 5/2. 

[tikay]

It is causing carnage in the antepost markets.   Just looked at the  Marsh Novices (Envoi Allen race) and a lot of halved in price.   Was right looking forward to Cheltenham.

Why? The threat he may face some sort of ban & so his horses won't be at Cheltenham?

Would not be surprised if Envoi Allen, trained by Elliott, is removed from the yard, as it's owned by Cheveley Park Stud I believe.

If it was some random trainer with 15 winners a season and the photo appeared in summer you'd expect a short term ban, at the least.  So that should be what happens here?

I don't think it will, but if you are on a 12/1 chance in the Marsh, your horse should be 6/1 if the ban happens. 

Take Energumene as an example.  It is going for the Arkle, but you could get 6/1 NRNB for the Marsh.  Only way that happens is if Envoi Allen doesn't show.  It is now 5/2. 

A ban on his horses would be awfully harsh on the Owners.

[Marky147]

Whacking great fine, and some work with a hore racing charity, I'd imagine.

[tikay]

 "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."

[Marky147]

Imagine they'll either have the investigation tied up this week, or transfer all horses to assistant before the festival, as I imagine they can run then?

I know Joseph had trained Ivanovitch Gorbatov, but due to age/time it was under Aidan's name.

[tikay]

Yes, I think the decision will come quickly, & the horses will still run but for a different trainer, either at Elliott's yard or elsewhere.

[Doobs]

Yes, I think the decision will come quickly, & the horses will still run but for a different trainer, either at Elliott's yard or elsewhere.

Four of the 5 most popular horse racing bets listed on oddschecker are in the Marsh against Envoi Allen.

If the Irish don't move quickly they might not be able to move?  And even if they can move, will O'Leary stick with his man (he had that big falling out with Mullins?).  Presumably shifting a load of horses a week before Cheltenham isn't the best prep and won't the best yards be at near capacity? 

It any horse was going to move first it would be Envoi Allen, but can't see how the majority get shifted at short notice.

[RED-DOG]

Far be it from me to leap to the defence of this bloke, but people do need to get a grip. ( IMO of course)

He hasn't committed some heinous crime, he's been a bit silly several years ago.

Let he who is without sin and all that.

[tikay]

Far be it from me to leap to the defence of this bloke, but people do need to get a grip. ( IMO of course)

He hasn't committed some heinous crime, he's been a bit silly several years ago.

Let he who is without sin and all that.

He cannot go unpunished Tom. He's a senior trainer & that's completely inappropriate behaviour.

Asked about it over the weekend at Punchestown he denied it had ever happened. By Monday the story had changed to this;


"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."

Nobody was ever going to buy that bollox.

It was only around 18 months ago, it's not like it was 10 years back.

We need to keep a sense of perspective, yes, & I'm all for live & let live, but he deserves to be fined or have a short training ban. (IMO of course).