Trainers Association facing bankruptcy after Gordon's victory in the High Court

Chris Gordon enjoyed a resounding victory in the High Court on Wednesday when his defamation case against the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association was successful but he will now face another battle to be paid the €300,000 damages he was awarded as well as his legal costs.

The IRTA, whose chief executive Michael Grassick and chairman Noel Meade were present for most of the 30-day trial, have not commented since the jury found unanimously in Gordon's favour at the culmination of a bitter six-year long case that saw Gordon, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's head of security, sue for defamation following "an orchestrated and severe campaign" against his good name.

Michael Grassick, chief executive of the IRTA, could find his position challenged following the High Court defeatCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The finding against the association leaves it in considerable disarray, a number of sources have suggested. Various IRTA members have privately expressed their fury that the case was ever allowed to proceed to court.