Disgraced Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson offered him some advice ahead of this year's Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott - who led Tiger Roll to back-to-back Grand National victories in 2018 and 2019 - was given a 12-month ban by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board after a shocking photograph of him sitting on a dead horse circulated on social media.
However, the last six months of Elliott's ban were suspended and he will have his license reinstated on Thursday.
Gordon Elliott revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson offered him some advice following the scandal
In March, Elliott, 43, was suspended by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board after a picture which had been taken in 2019 emerged of him sitting on a dead horse on the gallops of his County Meath stable.
Elliott apologised 'profoundly' after the images circulated in February. He said the photo dated back to 'some time ago' and denied suggestions his actions had been 'callous', stressing that he was caught off-guard after receiving a phone call.
Elliott was given a 12-month ban by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board after a shocking photograph of him sitting on a dead horse circulated on social media (above)
The last six months of his ban were suspended and he will have his license back on Thursday
Nevertheless, Elliot was banned just ten days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival in March. However, his horses were still able to race as Denise Foster took over as the licensed trainer at Elliott’s Co Meath stables.
Elliot has since revealed to the Racing Post that Sir Alex Ferguson contacted him during ahead of the festival to tell him to 'ignore the noise' and ask for forgiveness.
Now sixth months on from the scandal and Ferguson's phonecall, Elliot says he is eager to prove he is 'not a monster' as he returns to training this week.
Speaking to the Racing Post, he said: 'I have to prove that the impression people have of me from the picture does not reflect who I am.
'For myself, for my family, for my staff and, most of all, for the industry and its supporters, I need to step up and prove to everyone that I am not a monster.
