IT’S been a shocking week for horse racing, a sport I’ve loved since I was a small boy, enjoying days out at the racecourses around the North-East with my dad.

The Gordon Elliott scandal has damaged the image of the sport more than anything that has come before. What the hugely successful Irish trainer did – in being photographed astride a dead horse – was sickening and completely unacceptable.

The racing authorities have rightly come down hard on him and time will tell whether he can rebuild his career.

But, for what it’s worth, I’d like to do my little bit for presenting the other side of the horse racing industry – the one that I believe more truly represents it, rather than an abhorrent moment of madness that went viral.

These days, I’m lucky enough to have an insight into racing behind the scenes. I do media work for highly respected trainer Michael Dods, who is based at Denton, close to Darlington. I’m also involved with promoting Redcar Racecourse, and have recently started helping Elwick Stud, near Hartlepool.

I love working for all of them because I’m passionate about horses – and that’s why I’m so sad that Gordon Elliott’s catastrophic lapse of judgement has tarnished the image of the sport.

Every industry has its scandals – journalism included. In the same week that the picture of Gordon Elliott emerged, it was also revealed that former Daily Mirror editor Roy Greenslade had led a double life as an IRA sympathiser, who condoned the bombing of innocent people. That doesn’t mean that every journalist should be tarred with the same brush, any more than other horse racing figures should be dragged into the mud along with Gordon Elliott.

I’m absolutely convinced that the vast majority of people in racing are there because they love horses. Being a stable lad or lass is bloody hard work. You’re up at the crack of dawn, in all weathers, mucking out – you only do that if you love horses.

Michael Dods’ yard, along with others I’ve had the privilege to visit, is a five-star hotel for horses, with an equine spa and massage rugs among the equipment used by a dedicated team who are passionate about what they do.

And, in amongst the thoroughbreds that are still racing, there’s an old racehorse, called Barney McGrew. He was a decent horse in his day – a good servant to the yard, winning several races. Now, he’s living out his days in the lap of luxury and wants for absolutely nothing after being given a retirement home.

Others have been afforded similar treatment before him. Storyteller was another, and so was Blue Grit. That doesn’t happen unless you love horses, and I’ve no doubt there are similar examples at racing stables up and down the country.

This is what I believe to be the reality of the racing industry – care, compassion and respect for horses that the public often doesn’t see.