Just a fortnight before the start of the Cheltenham festival, Gordon Elliott has been dealt the almighty blow of losing all of his Cheveley Park Stud owned horses to fellow Irish trainers Willie Mullins and Henry De Bromhead.
Director of Cheveley Park stud Richard Thompson was on At The Races on Tuesday morning when he confirmed the news that Elliott's stable star Envoi Allen will be heading to Waterford to be trained by De Bromhead with immediate effect. A number of other horses such as Sir Gerhard and Quilixios will be divided amongst Mullins and De Bromhead.
"We made the decision in the last couple of hours to move the horses from Gordon's yard. The eight horses will go between Henry De Bromhead and Willie Mullins.
"Sir Gerhard will go Willie. Quilixios will go to Henry. Hopefully trainers like Henry and Willie will be able to resolve this quickly and it will be smooth."
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It has been a turbulent 48 hours for the Meath trainer after a photograph did the rounds of him sitting on a dead horse. While Gigginstown House Stud stood by the 43-year-old, his sponsors Betfair pulled the plug on their association with the trainer but the biggest blow was yet to come with the Cheveley Park update.
Indeed, it's been a damaging couple of days for Irish horseracing, with Wexford amateur jockey Rob James having thios morning issued a statement to the
Irish Field this morning to apologise for a video that shows him mounting a dead horse.
"To try defending my stupidity at the time would add further insult and hurt to the many loyal people that have supported me during my career. I have caused embarrassment to my employers, my family and most importantly the sport I love," said the Wexford man.
