Animal Aid calls for Gordon Elliott to be banned from racing

An appalling photograph has come to the public’s attention of Elliott sat on a dead race horse laid on the gallops, with Elliott on the phone and smiling whilst giving a ‘v’ sign to the photographer. This highlights the continuing problem in racing that race horses have expendable lives and the industry is not acting in their welfare.

If the horse racing authorities in both Britain and Ireland are serious about horse welfare then they should ban Gordon Elliott from being near a race horse ever again, in any professional capacity.

Around 200 horses are killed on British racecourses each year and an unknown number die in training (as with the horse Elliott is sat upon), whilst hundreds are sent for slaughter – sadly common practice. This track record shows that the racing industry is not worthy of public or political support.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant Dene Stansall:

‘This is the worst photograph I have ever seen in terms of disrespect towards a dead animal – reminiscent of those taken by trophy hunters. The fact it involves a leading figure in the industry enhances the need for the authorities to give Elliott a lifetime ban from racing. If racing doesn’t act, it will further highlight the disregard for welfare that exists in a self-regulated industry.’