Trainer Gordon Elliott has had his license suspended for six months and been fined €15,000 after he was found guilty of bringing racing into disrepute following the emergence of a picture of him sitting on a dead horse while taking a phone call in 2019.
Elliott was banned for a year but six months of that sentence will be suspended. He will not be appealing against the sanction and the Racing Post understands that Denise 'Sneezy' Foster will take over the reins at Cullentra House next week.
The hearing, which was chaired by Justice Raymond Groarke with Justice Siobhan Keegan and Nick Wachman also on the panel, took place March 5 at Naas Racecourse.
Elliott was punished under Rule 272(i), which relates to someone within racing's jurisdiction acting in a manner "prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct, or good reputation of horseracing."
In a statement issued by the PR firm Powerscourt Group, Elliott said: "I accept my situation and my sanction, and I am satisfied with my engagement with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. It is not an easy job to sit on the panel, but I was dealt with fairly.
"I am in this situation by my own action, and I am not going to dodge away from this. With my position in the sport I have great privileges and great responsibility. I did not live up to that responsibility. I am no longer the teenage boy who first rode a horse at Tony Martin's 30 years ago. I am an adult with obligations and a position in a sport I have loved since I first saw horses race.
"I am paying a very heavy price for my error, but I have no complaints. It breaks my heart to see the hurt I have caused to my colleagues, family, friends, and supporters. I have a long road ahead of me, but I will serve my time and then build back better."
In setting out the background to the case, the IHRB report stated: "The IHRB received an avalanche of complaints and the matter was rightly and fully scrutinized on the media."
The panel went on to note: "This committee is of the view that the photograph shows the most appalling bad taste on the part of Mr. Elliott insofar as it demonstrates a complete absence of respect for the horse at a time when he still remains in his charge. We believe that respect is an integral and essential part of the duty owing by those in charge of animals alive or dead.
"It is undoubtedly and most regrettably the case that the reputation and integrity of horseracing has consequently been brought into disrepute and has been prejudiced and serious damage has been caused to a sport enjoyed and loved by so many.
"There can be no doubt but that the production of the subject photograph has been a cause of enormous distress to all those who appreciate the enjoyment that horses bring to their lives."
The image of Elliott sitting on Morgan, who died from a heart aneurysm as a 7-year-old in 2019, first circulated on social media last weekend. It quickly prompted a visceral response, but the committee made clear there was no question of animal cruelty at play.
The report stated: "Also, it has not been suggested to the committee that the horses in Mr. Elliott's care are maintained and looked after other than to the highest standards. This is confirmed by the witnesses we have heard from, including the veterinary evidence, and in our view Mr. Elliott's success is testament to the care and attention he has provided to his horses."
Of the motivation behind releasing the picture last weekend, the report said: "In the view of the committee there is also a sinister aspect to this case. The committee is satisfied that the publication of this photograph is part of a concerted attack upon Mr. Elliott, the full circumstances of which are unknown.
"This has been canvassed not for the purpose of defense or absolution but in order to explain the publication at this time of a photograph which has existed since 2019."
