Denise Foster will take over as the licensed trainer at Gordon Elliott's stables while the leading trainer serves a suspension from racing.
Elliott has been given a one-year suspension by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board after a controversial photo emerged on social media of the trainer sitting on a dead horse.
The last six months of that ban will be suspended, meaning the Meath trainer will be allowed to train horses again by August of this year.
But in the interim Foster will take over the reins of his huge operation, including all the horses under his care that are set to run at this month's Cheltenham Festival.
Based in Enfield, Co Meath, Foster has a long association with horses. She trains approximately 20 horses herself and enjoyed a winner at Dundalk last month with Swiss Swoo. She recently saddled Getaway Goldie to finish third in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Career highlights include training Lily’s Rainbow to win a listed race at Navan in 2016, while Not For Burning gave her a winner at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival.
Foster's life has also been struck by tragedy. She was married to leading event rider David Foster, who represented Ireland at three Olympics before suffering a fatal fall aged 43 in 1998.
She also lost her daughter Lucy in 2014. Lucy was 27 years old and was the wife of Irish trainer Fozzy Stack.
A former riding instructor, Denise is affectionately known as 'Sneezy' and is highly regarded by her racing peers.
Among the many jump stars set to run under his name at this month's Cheltenham Festival include Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr, Champion Hurdle contender Abacadabras, legendary two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll and Stayers' Hurdle contender Sire Du Berlais.
