Racing syndicate fronted by Vinnie Jones remove horses from trainer’s yard after ‘disagreement’ over new owners

9 months ago 86

A RACING syndicate fronted by Vinnie Jones has pulled most of its 25 horses from a trainer’s yard after an apparent ‘disagreement’ over a new owner.

Tony Elliott, who fronts up The Rogues Gallery, said he felt he had been ‘pushed out’ after a rival syndicate started giving horses to Royal Ascot-winning handler Tom Clover, report the Racing Post.

Footie hardman Jones acts as ambassador for The Rogues Gallery, who have sold two of their top horses including Rogue Millennium for more than £2.5million.

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But they are severing almost all ties with Clover following the arrival of the new ownership group.

Elliott said: “We’re looking to move three-quarters of the horses, so far eight have left.

“It’s come as a shock to me that this had to happen.

“I feel pushed rather than leaving of our own accord.

“A week ago we were quite happy, but then things happen with politics in racing and you have to move on.

“We’re hoping to keep a few there still and maintain a relationship, but all good things come to an end.

“Things have happened that I don’t agree with. Tom’s got his sights on bigger things and good luck to him.

“We’ve given him four years or support and loyalty and we’ve had a few more members join our syndicate in the last few days, as we have horses in the north now.”

In a video on their website, Wimbledon legend and Hollywood actor Jones said he previously had shares in horses owned by The Rogues Gallery but now acts as an ambassador.

The group prides itself on giving owners shares in runners that last ‘forever’ plus a share in all prize money and future sale costs.

They say they are ‘not like most other racing syndicates’ and do it ‘purely for the love of racing’.

The syndicate, under Elliott’s leadership, has recorded multiple Group-level successes.

The syndicate boasts prize money earnings in excess of £700,000 on the Flat in Britain over the past five years.

Clover did not comment on the arrival of a new syndicate but said: “We’ve had a massively successful few years together as they came to me soon after I first started.

“We’ve been together on the most amazing journey with Rogue Millennium and Rogue Lightning doing so well and then selling fantastically for the owners and I have been, and remain, grateful for their support.

“We still have a few lovely horses for them, just not as many.”