Gordon Elliott's yard sponsor has terminated their contract with the trainer as the fallout from the photograph of the leading trainer sitting on a dead horse continues.
Elliott will face an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board hearing on Friday in relation to the controversial photograph which emerged in recent days.
However, there have already been some major repercussions for the Meath based trainer with Cheveley Park Stud confirming that they will move their horses to the yards of trainers Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead.
The financial implications have begun to bite too with the news that his main yard sponsor are walking away.
eCOMM Merchant Solutions confirmed in a short statement that they are terminating their sponsorship contract with Elliott "due to recent events".
Noel and Valerie Moran are founders of eCOMM and owners of Zanahiyr as well as several other horses, including Grand Roi at Elliott's yard. While he confirmed the end of the sponsorship deal, Noel Moran denied reports that they had removed their horses from Elliott's stewardship.
"The rumours that we have moved our horses from Gordon's stable are totally untrue. I have no idea where they came from," he told the Racing Post.
"As myself and Valerie said on Monday, we will await the decision of the IHRB hearing on Friday before making any further comment or decisions."
Bookmakers Betfair also moved to terminate their relationship with Elliott in the wake of the controversy.
The trainer had been an ambassador for the brand but Betfair confirmed in a statement that they have terminated the arrangement.
"While we recognise that Gordon deeply regrets and apologised unreservedly for his poor judgement his actions are completely at odds with the values of the Betfair brand and that of our employees.
"With that in mind, we have decided to discontinue our association with Gordon with immediate effect."
Elliott will attend an IRHB on Friday which could go a long way to deciding if there is a way back for the trainer.
It is not yet clear when a decision will be announced and Elliott will not be permitted to have runners in Britain until the conclusion of that process.
