Irish horse trainer Gordon Elliott banned from UK racing

Three-time Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott has been banned from racing horses in Britain while authorities investigate a photograph of him chatting on the phone while sitting on a dead horse.

The 42-year-old Irishman, who trains two-time Aintree winner Tiger Roll, has apologised for the incident, saying he had acted without thinking.

Elliott, whose principal owner is Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary, issued a statement after the photo caused a furore on social media.

“I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused,” he said. “The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops.

Although the sport of kings and queens is here to stay, attitudes like this one, raise questions about the racing industry’s standards of care.