It is believed that the shocking photo of Gordon Elliott sitting on a dead horse was put up on Twitter by someone who had a personal grudge against the trainer.
It was posted on social media less than three weeks before the start of the Cheltenham Festival in a move that was timed to cause as much damage as possible to the top trainer.
It is not known if the Gold Cup and three-time Grand National winner knows who set out to destroy his career.
In a statement after Friday's verdict, Elliott told of his deep regret over his actions.
He said: “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 again disrespect a horse living or dead and I will not tolerate it in others.”
Meanwhile, Denise Foster is set to take over as the licensed trainer at Elliott's Cullentra stables while Elliott serves his suspension.
Elliott was given a one-year ban after a hearing with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Friday for the controversial photo.
The last six months of that ban is suspended. The Meath trainer will be allowed to train horses again by August of this year.
But in the interim it has been reported that Foster will take over his huge operation, including all the horses under his care that are set to run at this month's Cheltenham Festival.
The British Horse Racing Authority said on Friday evening: “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 March 9th – when the suspension is due to commence – they will be able to run.”
Foster's new role is expected to be confirmed next week. She currently has her own training operation based in Enfield, Meath and is highly regarded among her peers.
