3 days ago
Gordon Elliott has €226k horse who beat Grand National winner removed from yard
Gordon Elliott has seen a horse that cost €226,000 leave his yard after suggesting that a change of scenery would do him good.
American Mike has won five of his 19 races under rules, with his last victory coming at Navan in February 2024 when he beat subsequent Grand National winner Nick Rockett in a Grade 2 Novice Chase by 1¼ lengths. He was last seen finishing well down the field over hurdles at the Punchestown Festival in late April when beaten 50 lengths by winner Kaid d'Authie.
The eight-year-old has moved to Olly Murphy's Warrren Chase Stables in Stratford-upon-Avon. Murphy previously spent four years as Elliott's assistant trainer.
He told Racing TV's Josh Stacey: "He's been a horse who hasn't quite reached the expectations as a novice it looked like he might. I am just starting to get to know him. Jack Kennedy onboard American Mike (Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)
"Gordon filled me in about him and it was actually Gordon who said the change of scenery would do him good. I'm very lucky to have a horse like him and hopefully he can be competitive in some handicap chases.
"We're working as a team. Owners Noel and Valerie Moran who sponsor Gordon's yard are also good supporters of me. Hopefully just a change of scenery will spark a small bit of a revival.
"Albeit he has some good form from last season so it's not like he's completely gone off the face of the earth. We're not just trying to find something that was there three years ago, he has got recent form as well."
