{"id":301347,"date":"2023-12-04T00:24:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T00:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=301347"},"modified":"2023-12-04T00:24:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T00:24:02","slug":"gordon-elliott-is-back-on-top-but-admits-i-feared-id-lost-everything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/horse-racing\/gordon-elliott-is-back-on-top-but-admits-i-feared-id-lost-everything\/","title":{"rendered":"Gordon Elliott is back on top but admits: I feared I'd lost everything"},"content":{"rendered":"
Gordon Elliott was caught in the middle of the back-slapping bonhomie but, suddenly, the expression on his face changed.<\/p>\n
It had been another stellar day for Elliott, whose horses have conquered all before them so far this winter. Teahupoo had delivered the standout victory, taking the scalp of odds-on favourite Impaire Et Passe under a brilliant ride from stable jockey Jack Kennedy to retain the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.<\/p>\n
There had also been a one-two in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle when Farren Glory, again ridden by the outstanding Kennedy, got the better of King Of Kingsfield; this is how things have been for the past six weeks, with big prizes seemingly on tap.<\/p>\n
Elliott is an ebullient figure, who backs himself relentlessly in the pursuit of winners, but as Teahupoo jig-jogged behind him after his exertions over two-and-a-half miles there was a moment of reflection and contrition. These days, he noted, need to be savoured. ‘To be honest, we were here three years ago and I had everything \u2014 then we lost it all,’ said Elliott.<\/p>\n
This was the result of him being banned for six months after a photograph of him sitting on top of a dead horse, smiling, at his Cullentra Stables was published online and went viral. High-profile owners removed their strings and opprobrium rained down for what he later described as a ‘moment of madness’.<\/p>\n
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Gordon Elliott’s (pictured above) horses have conquered all before them so far this winter<\/p>\n
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Teahupoo had delivered the standout victory, taking the scalp of odds-on favourite Impaire Et Passe to retain the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse<\/p>\n
‘But we’ve worked very hard to get back,’ he added. ‘The team I have behind me, from all the staff in the yard to all the lads buying the horses and the owners, is fantastic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘There were two or three weeks after (the picture emerged) I was very lonely. But a lot of people stood by me.’<\/p>\n
He is now reaping the dividends and there was nothing fortunate about Teauphoo’s surge past Impaire Et Passe, who had been second-favourite behind Constitution Hill in ante-post lists for the Champion Hurdle and had looked magnificent before the race, prowling around the paddock.<\/p>\n
Willie Mullins, the gelding’s trainer, would never make a snap judgement in such circumstances and his faith that Impaire Et Passe will line up in the two-mile championship is unshakeable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Elliott (left) was banned for six months after a photograph of him sitting on top of a dead horse, smiling, at his Cullentra Stables was shared on social media<\/p>\n
He insisted ‘no buttons had been pushed’ in the build-up to his reappearance and there was ‘a long way’ to go.<\/p>\n
What route he takes to Cheltenham must be decided but Mullins will not send any of his stable to contest next week’s re-arranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown, after Newcastle’s abandonment. Constitution Hill’s presence in that race is uncertain.<\/p>\n
Elliott received a magnanimous handshake from Mullins as they crossed paths after Teahupoo’s success but the latter didn’t go home empty-handed, as I Am Maximus landed the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase.<\/p>\n
Here was a rare double, as I Am Maximus had won the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday and a shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup may now be on the cards for the JP McManus-owned gelding.<\/p>\n