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On Friday, May 23, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced that it has issued a 10-year suspension and $40,000 penalty to Standardbred trainer Jeffrey Gillis following an investigation by its Equine Drug Unit. The AGCO has been actively investigating potential violations of Ontario’s horse racing anti-doping rules stemming from an international criminal […]
On Feb. 3, 2025, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) published three new rulings regarding the collaboration between two harness racing trainers in order to circumvent a previous ruling and violate the Rules of Standardbred Racing. Standardbred trainer Jimmy Gagnon has been suspended for 18 months and fined $2,500 for collaborating with a […]
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has released the approved 2025 race dates for the majority of Ontario’s racetracks. In accordance with the recommendations of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and Ontario Racing, the Registrar has issued the 2025 Race Date Schedules for the following harness racing tracks: Clinton Raceway – 15 […]
To protect the wellbeing and safety of horses and safeguard the integrity of horse racing, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties and suspensions to harness racing trainer, Richard Moreau, and driver, Sylvain Filion. Both are found to have violated the AGCO’s Rules of Standardbred Racing. The AGCO received a […]
Harness racing trainer Richard Moreau has been suspended indefinitely after North America Cup show finisher Funtime Bayama tested positive for darbepoetin alfa (DPO). The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) report, issued last night (Jul. 23), reported the Certificate of Analysis from the out-of-competition test collected from the gelding on Jun. 10. Five days […]
To provide clarity to the harness racing industry, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is announcing several updates to the temporary COVID-19 rule amendments in the Standardbred and Thoroughbred Rules of Racing. The temporary changes were originally made following the COVID-19 provincial emergency order to support the reopening of horse racing while ensuring […]
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a reminder to horse racing participants that new rules restricting certain medications for horses participating in harness racing qualifiers or workouts went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. As a reminder, rules SB 6.54.01 and TB 15.40.01 restricting certain medications for horses participating in workouts […]
In order to protect the integrity of horse racing in Ontario and prioritize the wellbeing and safety of horses, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has suspended the licence of Standardbred trainer Anthony Beaton for two years. On Oct.13, 2023, the AGCO received information that Mr. Beaton had engaged in conduct which compromised […]
Further the Information Bulletin released on December 5, 2023, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will be hosting a series of virtual information sessions regarding the implementation of rules restricting the use of certain medications for horses participating in workouts or qualifiers starting on January 1, 2024 The purpose of these information sessions […]
The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is temporarily amending a rule in the Standardbred and Thoroughbred Rules of Racing, effective immediately (Aug. 28, 2023). The rule regarding blood sample collection from a horse for TCO2 testing will no longer specify the number or type of test tubes used for collection. […]
As part of its continued commitment to protect Ontario racehorses and strengthen the integrity of harness racing, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) introduced changes to the Rules of Racing to promote the welfare of equine athletes on June 5, 2023. After continued consultations with industry stakeholders, the AGCO has further paused implementation […]
Effective June 5, 2023, certain medications and substances will be restricted in horses participating in an Official Workout (Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse) or in a Qualifying Race (Standardbred). This change is aligned with a continued focus on equine welfare, ensuring that only healthy, unmedicated horses are fit to qualify and work out. Horses may be […]
TORONTO, September 26, 2022 – Earlier today the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced that it is transferring oversight of cancellation fees to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Effective October 1, the AGCO is revoking Policy Directive No. 1-2009: Cancellation Fees and the OLG will oversee OLG Policy Directive 1-2022: Cancellation Fees. The new […]
The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) has made the following changes to the Schedule to the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations: ARSENIC, HYDROCORTISONE and MIRTAZAPINE are added to the list, and the current restriction for ZILPATEROL HYDROCHLORIDE is broadened to include all ZILPATEROL preparations.ARSENIC is considered a performance-altering substance with considerable gastrointestinal toxic effects. Because arsenic is […]
The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) is advising the Canadian horse racing industry of upcoming changes to the Elimination Guidelines. These changes are described below and will be implemented on March 7, 2022. All Elimination Guidelines will remain the same for medications not listed below (For example, phenylbutazone). The CPMA consulted with its Drug Advisory Committee […]
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) would like to remind the horse racing industry that under the provincial legislation that governs horse racing, AGCO Compliance Officials have the authority to inspect for equine medications at racetracks and training centres, and any place where racehorses are stabled. This includes, but is not limited to, […]
