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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Eamon Doggett

Envoi Allen to be reunited with adoring groom at Cheltenham Festival

Envoi Allen may have moved homes but the equine superstar will be reunited with his best friend at Cheltenham next week.

The seven-year-old was one of eight Cheveley Park-owned horses that left Gordon Elliott's yard last week after the shocking image of Ellliott sat on a dead horse emerged on social media.

No one was more upset to see Envoi Allen leave Cullentra Stables than his adoring groom Seainin Mahon.

But the Racing Post report that trainer Henry de Bromhead, whose stables the gelding has moved to, has offered Mahon the chance to lead up her favourite horse at the Festival.

Mahon and jockey Davy Russell after Envoi Allen's win in The Lawlor`s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

De Bromhead said: "Seainin was down on Sunday to see him and we've said she's very welcome to [help with the horse at Cheltenham].

"It's up to her and needs to be confirmed, but we'd love her to help out as much as she wants to with him. We'd be delighted."

Mahon has been at the unbeaten horse's side throughout his stellar career, including two victories at Cheltenham, while she has also in the past painted her nail's to match the horse's silks and dressed her dog in the same colours.

So the 30-year-old is understandably excited at the opportunity to be part of the horse's preparations for the Marsh Novices Chase on Thursday.

She said:"It would be fantastic to have one last time with my main man at Cheltenham.

"Hopefully if things go to plan in the yard I'll be able to get over after Henry and his team asked me if I'd like to lead him up – it's something I've obviously jumped at the chance to do.

"It might sound a bit silly, but I've been heartbroken at losing him.

"It's almost been like losing one of my family members, I've cried for days and I'm still missing him. I drove down to see him on Sunday at Henry's and then broke my heart again leaving him."

"It's been a horrible time for everyone here. Losing the horses was hard and even the social media abuse, as much as you try not to read it, was tough. People may not realise that there's a team behind Gordon as well, it's not just him."

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