Gordon Elliott (born 2 March 1978) is a

County Meath County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the sou ...

-based National Hunt

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

trainer. After riding as an amateur jockey, he took out a trainer's licence in 2006. He was 29 when his first Grand National entry, the 33 to 1 outsider

Silver Birch ''Betula pendula'', commonly known as silver birch, warty birch, European white birch, or East Asian white birch, is a species of tree in the family Betulaceae, native to Europe and parts of Asia, though in southern Europe, it is only found a ...

, won the 2007 race. In 2018 and 2019 he won the Grand National with

Tiger Roll Tiger Roll (foaled 14 March 2010) is a retired Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing and won the Grand National in 2018 and 2019. He has also won five times at the Cheltenham Festival: the Triumph Hurdle in 2014, ...

, ridden by Davy Russell and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the first horse since Red Rum to win the race twice. In 2018 he also won the Irish Grand National, with General Principle. On two occasions, in 2017 and 2018, he was the top trainer at the

Cheltenham Festival The Cheltenham Festival is a horse racing-based meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. The four-day festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Rac ...

. In March 2021 the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board imposed a twelve-month ban (with six months suspended) on Elliott after a photograph surfaced of him sitting on a dead horse on his gallops in 2019.

Jockey

With little family background in racing, Elliott is sometimes described as Irish racing's great "blow-in". The son of a panel-beater, he grew up in

Summerhill, County Meath Summerhill () is a heritage village in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the south of the county, between Trim and Kilcock on the R158 and west of Dunboyne on the R156. It is the site of one of the most important battles in 17th century ...

and entered the racing world at the age of thirteen, working for trainer Tony Martin at weekends and holidays. Elliott took out a licence as an amateur jockey when he was sixteen and rode on the racecourse and in point-to-points. His first winner on the racecourse came on Caitriona's Choice in a

bumper Bumper or Bumpers may refer to: People * Betty Bumpers (1925-2018), American activist, First Lady of Arkansas, wife of Dale Bumpers * Dale Bumpers (1925–2016), American politician, governor of Arkansas and senator * Bumper Robinson (born 197 ...

at Ballinrobe. He went on to ride a total of 200 point-to-point winners and 46 winners on the racecourse, with the highlight of his riding career being his win in the

Punchestown Champion Bumper The Champion INH Flat Race is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt National Hunt flat race, flat race in Ireland for amateur riders which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four to seven years. It is run at ...

on the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained King's Road in 1998. He also had five winners in the United States. Although based mainly with Tony Martin during his riding career, he spent a year in England with trainer Martin Pipe. He retired as a jockey through injury in 2005.

Trainer

Elliott took out his trainer's licence in 2006 and had his first winner at

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

on 11 June 2006. On 14 April 2007 he become the youngest ever trainer to win the Grand National. The winner, Silver Birch, was owned by Brian Walsh of

County Kildare County Kildare ( ga, Contae Chill Dara) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Leinster and is part of the Eastern and Midland Region. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county, ...

, and ridden by

Robbie Power Robbie "Puppy" Power is a retired National Hunt jockey. The son of Irish show-jumper Con Power, Robbie Power rode the 33-1 outsider Silver Birch to victory in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 14 April 2007. ...

. Despite having won the Grand National, Elliott had not at that stage trained a winner on the track back home in Ireland. The first winner he trained in Ireland was Toran Road at Kilbeggan on 5 May 2007. Although best known for his victories over jumps, Elliott had a major win on the flat in August 2010 when Dirar won the

Ebor Handicap The Ebor Handicap is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile 5 furlongs and 188 yards (2,787 metres). It is ...

York Racecourse York Racecourse is a horse racing venue in York, North Yorkshire, England. It is the third biggest racecourse in Britain in terms of total prize money offered, and second behind Ascot Racecourse, Ascot in prize money offered per meeting. It att ...

. He has also had victories at

Royal Ascot Ascot Racecourse ("ascot" pronounced , often pronounced ) is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. It hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races and ...

, with Commissioned winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2016 and Pallasator winning the same race in 2018. Originally based at Capranny Stables, a rented yard in

Trim, County Meath Trim () is a town in County Meath, Ireland. It is situated on the River Boyne and has a population of 9,194. The town is noted for Trim Castle – the largest Norman castle in Ireland. One of the two cathedrals of the United Dioceses of Meat ...

, Elliott bought the 78-acre Cullentra House Farm at

Longwood, County Meath Longwood, historically called ''Moydervy'' (), is a village in southwest County Meath, Ireland. It is located about 15 km south of the town of Trim on the R160 regional road. It is about 50 km from Dublin, off the N4 road. In the e ...

in 2011 and built a training facility with stabling for over 200 horses, gallops, schooling grounds, and an equine pool. His first winner at the

as a trainer was Chicago Grey in the

National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup The National Hunt Challenge Cup is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain for amateur riders which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenh ...

in 2011. He won the

2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup The 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup (known as the Timico Gold Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 88th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup horse race and was held at Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday 18 March 2016. The race was won by the 9 to 4 ...

with Don Cossack. In 2017 he was top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival and the following year repeated the achievement. On 2 April 2018 Elliott won the Irish Grand National with General Principle, ridden by JJ Slevin. Elliott had saddled 13 of the 30 horses in the field. That year he also won the Aintree Grand National with his horse

, ridden by Davy Russell and owned by Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, narrowly beating the Willie Mullins runner Pleasant Company. Elliott also trained the third place horse Bless The Wings. He won the Aintree Grand National again in 2019 with Tiger Roll, only the sixth repeat winner in the race's history.

Dead horse photograph

On 28 February 2021, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) launched an investigation into an image of Elliott, which was widely circulated on social media, sitting on a dead horse and making a peace sign. Elliott confirmed the photograph was genuine, issued an apology and said he was fully cooperating with the investigation. The animal rights organisation

PETA Peta or PETA may refer to: Acronym * Pembela Tanah Air, a militia established by the occupying Japanese in Indonesia in 1943 * People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an American animal rights organization * People Eating Tasty Animals, an ...

and the British Horseracing Authority condemned the photograph. On 1 March the British Horse Racing Authority announced that Elliott would be banned from racing horses in Britain while the investigation in Ireland took place, although the horses would be allowed to run if transferred to another trainer. It was confirmed that the photo was taken in 2019 and showed a horse owned by Gigginstown House Stud, Morgan, that had died while being ridden on the gallops. Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers said that Elliott must be "held fully accountable for his actions" and that the photograph showed "a complete and profound error of judgement". Chambers told Morning Ireland that he was "shocked, appalled and horrified" by the image and that it was "really disturbing from an animal welfare perspective". On 2 March

Cheveley Park Stud Cheveley Park Stud is a thoroughbred racehorse ownership and breeding operation in Newmarket, Suffolk, UK, which has bred and owned many notable horses. It is the oldest stud in Newmarket, the "capital" of British racing, with evidence of ...

announced that they would move their horses – Envoi Allen and Quilixios to go to Henry de Bromhead and Sir Gerhard to go to Willie Mullins. Elliott's leading owners,

Michael Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name "Michael" * Michael (archangel), ''first'' of God's archangels in the Jewish, Christian an ...

and Eddie O'Leary through their Gigginstown House Stud, expressed their support for him despite being "deeply disappointed by the unacceptable photo". On 5 March 2021 the IHRB convened a hearing and banned Elliott from racing for twelve months with six months suspended, leaving him unable to train or attend a race meeting or point-to-point until September. He was also ordered to pay costs of €15,000. Elliott accepted the ruling. Later that month the stable employee who took the photograph was banned for nine months (with seven suspended).

BBC Panorama programme

In July 2021, Elliott featured in a

BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...

Panorama A panorama (formed from Greek πᾶν "all" + ὅραμα "view") is any wide-angle view or representation of a physical space, whether in painting, drawing, photography, film, seismic images, or 3D modeling. The word was originally coined in ...

programme that investigated the fate of British and Irish racehorses who end up in abattoirs. Three of the horses were formerly trained by Elliott, who denied having sent them to the abattoir. He said two of the horses were sent to a horse dealer to be re-homed or humanely euthanised, while the third was given to someone else at the owner's request. The former horses were bay mare Kiss me Kayf, who had had no success on the racecourse, and bay gelding High Expectations, who had won seven races. The latter horse, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was grey gelding

Vyta Du Roc Vyta Du Roc (foaled 21 June 2009) was a grey AQPS racehorse. He was bred in France and trained in Great Britain and Ireland. His most noted success came when winning the 2016 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase. Racing career Vyta Du Roc was bred in ...

, who won the 2016

Reynoldstown Novices' Chase The Reynoldstown Novices' Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of about 3 miles (2 mile ...

. Following the programme, Munir and Souede removed their horses from Elliott's yard.

Awards

In 2007 Elliott won the inaugural Meath Sportsperson of the Year award. He won the award again in 2018 and 2019. Elliott won 3 West Tipperary football medals with Tipperary Town side Arravale Rovers at juvenile level

Personal life

Elliott was engaged to champion point-to-point rider Annie Bowles, with whom he set up Cullentra House Stables. The couple separated and Bowles married

Ballarat Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands (Victoria), Central Highlands of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resid ...

trainer Archie Alexander.

Cheltenham winners (33)

Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle (known as the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle for sponsorship reasons) is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years o ...

– (2) Samcro (2018), Envoi Allen (2020) *

Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham ove ...

– (1) The Storyteller (2018) *

Champion Bumper The Champion Bumper is a Grade 1 National Hunt flat race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four to six years. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ f ...

– (2) Fayonagh (2017), Envoi Allen (2019) * Cheltenham Gold Cup – (1) Don Cossack (2016) *

Coral Cup The Coral Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 5 f ...

– (3) Carlito Brigante (2011), Diamond King (2016), Commander of Fleet (2022) *

David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to mares aged four years or older. It ...

– (1) Apples Jade (2017) *

Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle The Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle, known for sponsorship purposes as the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It ...

– (3) Flaxen Flare (2013), Veneer of Charm (2018), Aramax (2020) * Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – (2) Cause of Causes (2016), Milan Native (2020) *

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Cross-Country Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles ...

– (3) Cause of Causes (2017), Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) *

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle is a National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Great Britain for conditional jockeys which is open to horses aged four years or older. I ...

– (2) Champagne Classic (2017), Blow By Blow (2018) *

– (4) Chicago Grey (2011), Cause of Causes (2015), Tiger Roll (2017), Ravenhill (2020) *

Pertemps Final The Pertemps Final is a Grade Three National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 ...

– (3) Delta Work (2018), Sire Du Berlais (2019, 2020) *

Supreme Novices' Hurdle The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of a ...

– (1) Labaik (2017) * Triumph Hurdle – (2)

(2014), Farclas (2018) *

Golden Miller Novices' Chase The Golden Miller Novices' Chase, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Turners Novices' Chase, is a Grade One National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the N ...

– (1) Samcro (2020) *

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt racing, National Hunt steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. ...

– (1) Chosen Mate (2020) * JLT Novices Chase – (1) Shattered Love (2018)

Other major wins

Ireland * Irish Gold Cup – (2) Delta Work (2020), Conflated (2022) *

Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle The Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4, ...

– (1) Dortmund Park (2018) *

Champion INH Flat Race The Champion INH Flat Race is a Grade 1 National Hunt flat race in Ireland for amateur riders which is open to horses aged four to seven years. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong ( ...

– (1) Fayonagh (2017) *

Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle The Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metre ...

– (1) Samcro (2018) *

Christmas Hurdle The Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres ...

– (4) Prince of Scars (2015), Apple's Jade (2017, 2018, 2019) *

December Festival Hurdle The December Festival Hurdle, currently known by its sponsored title of the Matheson Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is ...

– (1) Mick Jazz (2017) * Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase – (3) Mount Benbulben (2013), The Storyteller (2018), Delta Work (2019) *

Drinmore Novice Chase The Drinmore Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres ...

– (7) Jessies Dream (2010), Don Cossack (2013), No More Heroes (2015), Death Duty (2017), Delta Work (2018), Envoi Allen (2020), Mighty Potter (2022) *

Fort Leney Novice Chase The Fort Leney Novice Chase, currently ran as the Neville Hotels Novice Chase, is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run over a distance of 3 miles (4,828 metres) at Leopardstown and during its runni ...

– (5) No More Heroes (2015), Shattered Love (2017), Delta Work (2018), Battleoverdoyen (2019), Fury Road (2021) *

Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle The Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt novice hurdle race in Ireland which is for horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 6 furlongs (4, ...

– (1) Commander of Fleet (2019) * Greenmount Park Novice Chase – (3) Dounikos (2017), Hardline (2018), Gerri Colombe (2022) *

Hatton's Grace Hurdle The Hatton's Grace Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 ...

– (4) Apple's Jade (2016, 2017, 2018), Teahupoo (2022) *

Irish Champion Hurdle The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and du ...

– (1) Apple's Jade (2019) *

Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle The Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres), and during ...

– (1) Champagne Classic (2017) *

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase The John Durkan Memorial Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs {2 miles 4 furlongs and 40 yards, or 4,060 metres) at Punc ...

– (1) Don Cossack (2014) * Ladbrokes Champion Chase – (4) Roi du Mee (2013), Don Cossack (2015), Outlander (2017), The Storyteller (2020) * Mares Champion Hurdle – (2) Mae's Choice (2012), Apple's Jade (2017) *

Morgiana Hurdle The Morgiana Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong ...

– (1) Abacadabras (2020) *

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle The Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt race in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse at the end of December during the Christmas Festival, over a distance of about 2 mi ...

– (2) Abracadabras (2019), Mighty Potter (2021) * Punchestown Gold Cup – (1) Don Cossack (2015) *

Racing Post Novice Chase The Racing Post Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt Steeplechase (horse racing), chase in Ireland. The race is run at Leopardstown Racecourse in December, over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong ...

– (1) Clarcam (2014) * Royal Bond Novice Hurdle – (3) Mengli Khan (2017), Envoi Allen (2019), Ballyadam (2020) * Ryanair Gold Cup – (1) Realt Mor (2013) *

Savills Chase The Savills Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres), and ...

– (4) Outlander (2016), Delta Work (2019), Galvin (2021), Conflated (2022) *

Slaney Novice Hurdle The Slaney Novice Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle, is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run in January at Naas Racecourse, ove ...

– (4) Death Duty (2017), Battleoverdoyen (2019), Envoi Allen (2020), Ginto (2022) *

Spring Juvenile Hurdle The Spring Juvenile Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse in February, over a distance of 2 miles. The race is restricted to four-year-old horses only an ...

– (2) Mega Fortune (2017), Quilixios (2021) * Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle - (1) Mighty Potter (2022) ----

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It is ...

Liverpool Hurdle The Liverpool Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and ½ furlong (3 ...

- (1) Sire Du Berlais (2022) *

Manifesto Novices' Chase The Manifesto Novices' Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree Racecourse, Ain ...

– (1) Clarcam (2015) *

Top Novices' Hurdle The Top Novices' Hurdle is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and half a ...

– (1) Felix Desjy (2019) *

Mersey Novices' Hurdle The Mersey Novices' Hurdle is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree, Merseyside, over a distance of about 2 mil ...

- (1) Three Stripe Life (2022) ----

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Grand National Hurdle Stakes The Grand National Hurdle Stakes is an American National Steeplechase Association sanctioned steeplechase race run each fall at Far Hills, New Jersey. It is a Grade 1 event run over miles. It has been known by a variety of names over the years, i ...

– (1) Jury Duty (2018)

Major wins as a jockey

Ireland *

– (1) King's Road (1998)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, Gordon Irish racehorse trainers Living people Place of birth missing (living people) Irish jockeys 1978 births Horse racing controversies Controversies in Ireland