In an exclusive interview with BOYLE Sports, Jordan Gainford praises Gordon Elliott for two Grade 1 wins and most of his success, thriving in a highly competitive yard with top horses and staff.
He stresses discipline as the biggest lesson, backs Elliott to challenge Willie Mullins for the trainers' title, and tips Teahupoo as his Cheltenham superstar, calling the Festival "our Olympics ."
Gordon Elliot
Working With Gordon Elliott
Look, he gave me two Grade 1 winners. He gives me most of my winners throughout the year. There's plenty of us there fighting for places behind Jack Kennedy, obviously.
It's great, you're riding good horses every day, you're schooling every day, you're riding work, you're working with the best people in racing. It’s a competitive place. If you do something wrong, you learn fairly quickly, and it's the best way to be really.
My Biggest Lesson
Discipline. If you're asked to be there for 7 am, then be there at a quarter to seven. Keep your head down, listen to what he tells you and do what you're told. That’s the most important thing. If you work with him, he works with you, and it's a fair level playing ground.
Gordon Can Challenge Willie
Yes, he is. He has a great team of horses, and as he said, they're youngsters on the whole. His novices, like Romeo Coolio, are a great bunch this year. But some of the older horses, too, shouldn’t be forgotten. Teahupoo is a solid yardstick, and he has a lovely bunch of bumper horses. He had a 1-2-3 in the bumper on Monday evening. I think they're very nice.
I can't see why not [challenging Mullins ]. He’s gone very close before. I think they're really staying in form. Even the horses that were hitting the crossbar previously they're coming back, and they're staying solid all year, which is very important. There’s a good break now to Cheltenham , so I think that’ll freshen up some of the horses, and I think he'll have a good stab at that too.
Trainers Title
It would be massive for him. It’s life-changing. It's something that the man dreams of, and he tells you that himself. The operation that he's built up now, from basically scratch, is huge. His setup is massive, and he has a great bunch of owners. His staff are second to none, and it would just mean the world to him.
I think we'd all be really delighted for him because he's a great man to work for. He is so consistent. He’s won three Grand Nationals. To come along the way he has from where he started, and still winning grades, shows you how good he is.
Cheltenham 2026
Cheltenham Tip
I’d have to say Teahupoo . He's a superstar.
Cheltenham Is Our Olympics
To be honest, I won't know where I stand until the declarations really. I’m hoping to pick up something in the Handicaps. That'll be great. We’ll just keep our heads down, keep knuckling.
There are no rides to be sure of. It’ll be just get over there, hopefully, and see what we can pick up. Yes, absolutely, that is the Olympics. That's where you want to be. Everyone loves riding winners there. well. When he gets those opportunities, he’s taking them with both hands.
Cheltenham Star Tiger Roll
It’d have to be Tiger Roll with his two Grand Nationals; Don Cossack would be right up there. But look, there's a few stars there now, Teahupoo , Romeo Coolio, big profile horses. When you see them in the yard, you say, ‘Jesus.’ It's mad to see, really.
Horses To Watch
Horses To Watch
The horse that finished third in the Bumper at the DRF, Charismatic Kid. He did everything right at home. It was obviously his first run, and it wasn’t long after changing the yard. So he could be one who could be a decent price for the Champion Bumper if he goes down that route.
It will be interesting to see what Romeo Coolio goes for. I thought his performance was very good; he's fairly tough, and he showed that at Leopardstown . After the DRF, it was all about maybe a step up and a trip, so I would say two and a half miles.
But then again, it'll be interesting to see whether Willie's lad, Kopek Des Bordes , comes back for the Arkle or not. Maybe if he's missing, Romeo Coolio could stay at two miles. On performances, I'd love to ride Romeo Coolio. Him or Teahupoo - one or the other.
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