LEADING racehorse owners Noel and Valerie Moran have ended their sponsorship of the Elliott yard through their company eCOMM Merchant Solutions.

However, reports that the Morans have moved their horses in training from Elliott to Noel Meade are untrue.

Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr is the most high-profile horse owned by the Morans. Others include The Bosses Oscar, Grand Roi and Riviere D’Etel.

The Morans are relative newcomers to racing, but have made a huge investment in racehorses. They have owned 22 winners in Ireland this season and they have also paid big money for point-to-point winners, almost all of which were being trained by Elliott. Recent bumper winner Ginto cost €470,000 and in January they paid £300,000 for another bumper winner, Hollymount.

They have established Bective Stud in Co Meath and recently purchased Apple’s Jade for €530,000 as one of their first broodmares.

A brief statement on Tuesday night said: "eCOMM Merchant Solutions has terminated its sponsorship contract with Gordon Elliott due to recent events."

Their decision to end their sponsorship of the yard is the latest blow to the trainer, whose career has been severely damaged by the fallout from the publication last weekend of a photograph depicting him sitting on a dead horse.

On Tuesday Cheveley Park Stud took away their eight horses from Elliott. Henry de Bromhead is the new trainer of the unbeaten Envoi Allen, while Willie Mullins also received some of the Cheveley Park horses.

Elliott is likely to face disciplinary action when his case is heard by the Irish Horseracing Authority’s Referrals Committee on Friday.

BIG INTERVIEW WITH NOEL & VALERIE MORAN FROM SEPTEMBER 2020