Gordon Elliott will not be allowed to run horses at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival or the Grand National Festival after his six month ban was reciprocated by the British Horseracing Authority.
The Meath trainer was handed the ban by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board following a hearing, and fined €15,000 after a photo emerged of Elliott sitting on a dead horse.
And following the IHRB sanction, the BHA have confirmed that Elliott will also serve the ban across the Irish Sea from its agreed March 9 date.
However, horses transferred directly to other licensed trainers before March will be allowed to run at the festivals.
A statement read: "We welcome the fact that the Irish authorities have acted swiftly. The suspension will be reciprocated here in Great Britain. The existing restriction on Mr Elliott having runners in Great Britain will stay in place until the suspension takes effect on 9 March.
"The IHRB Referrals Committee pointed to the fact that the photo showed appalling bad taste and demonstrates a complete absence of respect for the horse. We endorse these comments, and the view that respect is an integral and essential part of the duty of those in charge of animals.
"Today’s decision confirms that horses will not be able to run at the Cheltenham Festival or Grand National Festival in the name of Gordon Elliott.
"However, if horses are transferred directly to other licensed trainers prior to 9 March – when the suspension is due to commence – they will be able to run."
Meanwhile, Elliott has vowed to serve his time and come back better after he was handed the six month ban.
"I am paying a very heavy price for my error but I have no complaints," Elliott said in a statement.
"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."
He continued: "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.
“Horses are my life. I love them. No-one comes into racing for money – it is a hard way to make a living. We are here 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 disrespectful 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 gain 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.”
