Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott shamed his sport, yet he's allowed to live at his stables and pass his licence to a friend... so, how much of a real ban is this?

• Successful trainer Henrietta Knight believes Gordon Elliott can rebuild his career
• Denise Foster will take his licence while he serves his suspension from the sport 
• Elliott will also be allowed to live at his stables, undermining the real punishment

Gordon Elliott has attempted to defuse criticism among those questioning the severity of his suspension from the sport by insisting Denise Foster, who is taking temporary charge of his stable, will be ‘responsible for all operations’.

Three-time Grand National winner Elliott was suspended by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Friday for a year, with six months of the penalty suspended, after an investigation into the picture of him sitting on a dead horse which emerged last weekend.

Being suspended, rather than a disqualified person, means Elliott is not barred from licenced premises. The 43-year-old gave an assurance to the IHRB that he would not visit a racecourse or point-to-point meeting during the six months of his suspension. He is, however, allowed to still live at his home within the grounds of his Cullentra House stables in County Meath. 

Foster, whose own stable is nearby, has said she is taking her own small string of horses to the Cullentra. But a line in an initial statement, later deleted, saying Elliott ‘will be available to assist her as she requires’ prompted questions as to whether Foster’s appointment was merely hoisting a flag of convenience and a signal that she was only superficially in change.

A subsequent tweet on Gordon Elliott’s official account clarified: ‘It is hoped the current level of employment provided at our stables will continue. The entries will be made by Sneezy [Foster] and she will be responsible for all operations.’

Foster told the Racing Post: ‘I’ve known Gordon for a long time and I already know a lot of his staff. I only live up the road so it just feels right. There has been huge support of these plans from his owners.’

Elliott’s name will not be seen at this year’s major spring Festivals, beginning with Cheltenham which begins a week on Tuesday. 

While some had wanted a stiffer penalty to be imposed, pointing to the damage the picture has done to the wider image of the sport, others have said that the reputational damage suffered by Elliott is much more of a punishment than the ban itself.

When he does return, winning over those who question his right to operate, will be far harder than winning races. Many have also said that ensuring Elliott’s 80 staff don’t lose their jobs because of a moment of madness from their boss should also be a consideration, especially given the case does not reflect any wider animal welfare concerns with the stable.

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight, who acted as a character witness for the Irishman at Friday’s IHRB hearing, insisted: ‘The picture is not the Gordon I know at all. He loves his horses and is very much involved with every one of them. He knows them all individually. It was a moment of madness. He has not killed a horse or killed a person but it is the perception of the picture.

‘I am very concerned about animal welfare. When I go into a yard I always notice how horses are treated. The horses in his stable are happy horses. On a racecourse there are probably no horses in better condition than his.’ 

Elliott suffered a bitter blow when losing eight horses owned by the Cheveley Park Stud on Tuesday, including unbeaten star novice chaser Envoi Allen, but his other owners, headed by the Gigginstown Stud of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, largely appear to be standing by him.

Knight manages the horses of owner Mike Grech, who she said would continue to have a horse in the stable.

It was also confirmed on Saturday that Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, whose colours are familiar either side of the Irish Sea, would be leaving their two horses, including Cheltenham Festival entry Saint D’oroux, at Cullentra House. 

Escaria Ten, who is set to run in either the Ultima Handicap Chase or the National Hunt Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, will also be left in the stable by owner Max McNeill.

His racing manager Iain Turner said: ‘We have discussed little else all week but our belief is that if we were to move the horse now, we wouldn’t be punishing Gordon because he has been suspended. We would be punishing the staff who have worked so hard all season and are the innocent parties in this.’

Noel and Valerie Moran, who own 20 horses at Cullentra including Triumph Hurdle fancy Zanahiyr, are also staying with the stable despite their company eCOMM Merchant Solutions terminating their sponsorship of the yard.