Keith Donoghue: I have never in all my life seen so many grown men cry

Keith Donoghue has spoken of his experience at Gordon Elliott's stable on Wednesday morning, the day after Envoi Allen and seven other Cheveley Park-owned horses were removed, revealing that he witnessed many of the team in tears.

The Grade 1-winning jockey, who was Envoi Allen's work-rider before the unbeaten superstar's departure to Henry de Bromhead on Tuesday, said the atmosphere among the staff in the yard was "shocking" and that he found the whole experience distressing.

Speaking exclusively to the Racing Post on Wednesday afternoon, Donoghue said: "I arrived at the yard at the usual time of 7.20am this morning. It was absolutely shocking. It's hard to put it into words. I have never in all my life seen so many grown men cry; actually shedding tears. It was horrific stuff altogether.