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Gordon Elliott is arguably the pre-eminent racehorse trainer of his generation. His horses are invariably turned out immaculately and their physical well-being often sees them stand out, even at meetings like Cheltenham and Aintree. You don’t achieve results like his without your horses being in A1 physical and mental condition. I’ve followed the yard closely at UK meetings since he started to be successful here and his race-day staff are a fantastic group who work extremely hard and display an unmistakeable passion for both what they do and for the wider success of the yard itself.
All that said, here he stands, on the precipice of a career in ruins.
Whether it was the result of one misjudged moment, a crass error, or whether that one moment was symptomatic of a deeper character flaw, I don’t know. But knowing how deeply his staff care for their horses I would guess it isn’t how he would normally conduct himself.
You can’t justify or defend that photo. It is indefensible. And it will be something that he will have to live with and will haunt his life going forward.
Success can be a hard friend to live with. When it comes fast and big, success can be debilitating. Enough evidence of that in the world, and his success in racing was both fast and big. Maybe that has played its part. Other things, if you believe what you hear, are not right at Cullentra.
I think it is incredibly, incredibly sad, tragic even, that a man whose name could have been writ large in the history of the sport for his achievements now faces a shame that will never be erased.
Humility is what he needs to show now, and lots of it, if he wants to continue. Humility and courage. Serve his ban (surely a ban will come) and pick up whatever is left at the end of it and start again. Let there never be a repeat or anything resembling a repeat.
Then maybe we will see the man, if he is in there.
Going to be a hard road for him in any case and, on a human level, I hope he has support just now because, though it was self-inflicted, his life must be in turmoil.
David (cormack15)
Ham (from a couple of pages ago):
I did not say Elliott has “mistreated all his horses”. Just that the way he seems not bothered about a horse having a heart attack… And him being one of the trainers I’ve noticed seemingly consistently and suddenly coming to form at the beginning of big meetings… Leads me to question whether there is a training method he uses to make them go faster… which (I’ve heard) can also be problematic with the heart.Yes, you would get very successful if using this training method.
Value Is EverythingThis blows the “horses live like royalty at home and are well looked after in 5 star conditions” out of the water.
If the man at the top has this attitude to a horses welfare then it’s likely to have rubbed off on some of his stable staff.
Ginge, he sent out 210 winners the other year, his horses don’t just come to form for big meetings. They may be trained to peak but that would be no different to Mullins or Henderson in that regard.
David (cormack15)
Exactly Admin, you are bound to hit form at the big meetings if you have one of the best stables if training them to peak for those occasions. You may win a prep but the main objective of that is getting your horse on for target number 1
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
No David, not in my experience.
When Henderson is out of form (or at least not in excellent form) going in to a big meeting, he often goes through that meeting not in excellent form. In my experience it doesn’t seem to matter what form Elliott is in going in to a meeting, he’ll pretty much always suddenly come to form… And not just form but excellent form.AS you know, I do my own trainer form when looking at a race. It’s been perhaps my best “edge” (along with pace in the race).However, these days no matter what form Elliott is in going in to a (especially the) meeting, I’ll always rate him in excellent form.
Value Is EverythingThe comparisons to Sheik M are irrelevant. The Sheik has denied any wrongdoing and has not been convicted of any crime. Obviously we all have our own views on that but is this sort of accusation that should be decided by British Horse Racing Authorities (much less this forum)? Elliott, however, has admitted to a huge error of judgement that has brought the entire industry into disrepute. It’s akin to a company trying to deal with a clear breach of policy by an employee to debating whether they continue trading with a possibly unethical customer. It is for the legal system and government (such that it is) to decide whether Sheik M is unfit; Elliott has already proved, by his own admission, that he is.
This is turning out to be an utterly shocking and depressing episode. I so look forward to Cheltenham,the punchestown festival and Aintree and now it will be totally overshadowed by this photo.
There are so many strands to this story but just a few quick points.1. Wtf was he thinking. When you remember the monumental effort that went on to save st Nicholas abbey and how much we all know how well horses in training are looked after this image can cause untold damage.
2. What strange person firstly took the photo then held onto it for years.
3. The timing of the photo is so close to Cheltenham to not be a calculated attempt at damaging Elliot and racing.
4. Lastly just a feeling of massive sadness at the impression it gives to the wider public.
God knows where this will end up but just a hugely regrettable episode all round. It is going to very difficult for racing channels to handle this in the run up to Cheltenham.Elliott’s conduct is indefensible and he deserves whatever sanction is coming his way. I will have little sympathy for him if owners choose to move their horses. However, I agree with admin that there should be some concern about his wellbeing. This could ruin him, professionally and personally. I hope he has a good support network because I suspect he is going to need it.
Sounds like some of the staff were not too chuffed with him either. All heresay of course
— Tom Weeks (@tomweeks96) March 1, 2021
There has to be case for banning all 3 in the photo from working with animals again and shutting down the yard while all horses are checked over by vets.
Alternatively another member of his staff just tweeted “ working for Gordon Elliott has been the best decision I’ve ever made. His horses are looked after second to none with us and the horses always come first. ”
I don’t agree Krypton that the BHA have made a catastrophic error of judgement. Imagine if (more likely when) a Gordon Elliott trained horse won at Cheltenham. How are people watching, on course, and providing TV coverage going to react? They can’t exactly clap, smile or say well done. It would be awkward and embarrassing all round in view of what has happened. It is the right decision for the sport at this time.
botchy1, I initially defended him because it seemed so implausible. This, however has every indication of being 100% true, even on first viewing.
strawbear, agree that whoever took that photo and then shared it (may not be the same individual) should never work in the industry again. All for protection of whistleblowers but this is not whistleblowing.
admin, no doubt that this is genuine and true – and that is the real tragedy. So many dedicated people frightened for their jobs because of the stupid actions of their boss (not exclusive to racing of course)
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