Statement from Gordon Elliott following IHRB ruling

Trainer Gordon Elliott issued the following statement this evening following today's Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board hearing.

I accept my situation and my sanction and 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 a teenage bot 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 high 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.

Horses are my life. I love them.

No one comes into racing for money - Its a hard way to make a living. We are because we love the horses.

Anyone who has visited my stables at Cullentra will see the meticulous care with which we treat our horses.

I was disrestpectful to a dead horse, an animal that had been a loyal servant to me and was loved by my staff.

I will carry the burden of my transgressions for the rest of my career.

I will never again disrespect a horse living or dead and I will not tolerate it in others.

Finally i want to thank my owners and my staff who, despite being let down by me, have been unstinting in their support.

I will vindicate their faith in me.