Owner Sullivan: Rooneys should be respected over Cheltenham decision

Paul and Clare Rooney's decision to stop having runners at Cheltenham was theirs to take and they should be respected for it, leading owner Jared Sullivan said on Thursday.

The revelation the Rooneys, who are among the biggest and most prolific owners in British jump racing, had instructed their numerous trainers not to enter their horses at the course until further notice due to safety concerns, was met with shock and surprise across the industry.

Multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls led the support of Cheltenham, with the likes of Cheltenham Festival-winning owners John Hales, Andy Stewart and Terry Warner also lining up in defence of the track in the wake of the Rooneys' decision becoming public.

Sullivan, like the Rooneys, has been a significant supporter of British and Irish racing on the Flat and over jumps with the likes of dual King George VI Chase winner Silviniaco Conti, Sanctuaire, Laurina, Zarkandar and Tiggy Wiggy all carrying his colours with distinction.

Silviniaco Conti: a top performer to carry Jared Sullivan's coloursCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "They're the owners of those horses, they pay the bills so if not running at Cheltenham is what they want to do I think we should let them get on with it.

"I don't think it's got anything to do with anyone else and I'm not sure about some of the comments I've seen from people about it."

He added: "I see what people have been saying [about the Rooneys] and it's nothing that concerns them. Everyone's got an opinion it seems, and some of the comments seem almost to be half-judging them for their own choice on their own horses."

The Rooneys' boycott of Cheltenham has been motivated by concerns the course presents a higher risk of injury to their horses with the couple losing both Starchitect and Melrose Boy after running at the track.

Melrose Boy was one of the seven fatalities at last year's Cheltenham Festival, as was the Sullivan-owned Sandsend, who broke a leg just before the final flight in the County Hurdle.

"What happened to Sandsend was sickening as he was coming with a good run and it happened as he was running between the hurdles," said Sullivan, who added he has no qualms with running his horses at the track.

The BHA published a review last month following the deaths at the festival leading to 17 recommendations to be implemented including pre-race veterinary checks on all runners, the reduction in field sizes and alterations to the conditions of some races.

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