Wexford jockey Rob James has found himself at the centre of an ongoing horse-racing controversy…
Public uproar was caused after internationally recognised horse-trainer Gordon Elliot was pictured sitting on a dead horse while taking a phone call.
A Wexford man, amateur jockey Rob James, has now found himself at the centre of that controversy too. In a video which has recently emerged online, James can also be seen sitting on a deceased horse.
In a statement released this morning, the IHRB said, “The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board are aware of further social media content circulating and the matter is under investigation.”
Enniscorthy native, Rob James, has confirmed that the video is him and he has since apologised for his actions five years ago.
“I have become aware of a video circulating of me on social media. I would just like of apologise for my actions which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to a lovely five-year-old mare, who unfortunately suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at exercise earlier that morning, April 30th, 2016.
“I sincerely apologise to the owners of the mare, the staff who cared for her, the horseracing industry and all followers of horse racing for my actions.
“To try defending my stupidity at the time would add further insult and hurt to the many loyal people that have supported me during my career. I have caused embarrassment to my employers, my family and most importantly the sport I love.”
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