This document outlines the process involved in applying for a license to operate horse racing where the number of days per year is less than seven (7). For the most part this includes fair racing, where racing is conducted as part of an agricultural society’s annual fair.
This process applies to an individual or organization seeking to offer horse racing in the Province of Ontario, where the total number of days of racing is less than 7 days per year. Usually in this category, agricultural societies are applying to offer horse racing as part of their annual fair for 1 or 2 days.
An Application to Operate a Racetrack form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar of the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario. This application is available on the AGCO Racing website, and Applicants are encouraged to contact the AGCO directly for assistance in completing the form.
Fees for non-extended meets are $200.00 CAD per race date; these fees include the services of an AGCO Judge to oversee racing on each race date.
The individual with responsibility for the fair, and all racing officials for the meet will also require to be licensed as Association Officials; however, there is no cost to these individuals’ licenses.
In addition to the license application form and the fee, the Applicant is required to submit any required documents as detailed in Appendix A and to provide information that will be needed by the AGCO Judge in supervising the day(s) of racing. For example, the AGCO Judge will need contact information for the emergency services on the grounds, as well as for the veterinarian who will be on the grounds on the day(s) of racing and available to attend to sick or injured horses.
For the racing to be official, the races need to be recorded into the official record keeping body for Standardbred racing (Standardbred Canada). This will require the hiring of a Charter.
Additionally, if there will be wagering on the races, this will require application to the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency for a betting permit and obtain the services of a company that can provide the pari-mutuel system.
Standardbred Canada: (905) 858-3060
Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency: Christine Hopper (613) 759-6343
Once an application has been received, an AGCO Judge will be assigned and will guide the applicant through the process. The Judge will be knowledgeable in how fairs are conducted and will be of assistance to ensure that the races are conducted with integrity, and that the activities are carried out with sensitivity to the health and safety of all of the participants including the horse.
Documents submitted to the AGCO are confidential and private unless otherwise specified. All documents submitted to the AGCO are subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c F.31.
Forms and information are available on the AGCO Horse Racing website at: www.agco.ca
The preferred submission format for material is electronic. All material must be submitted to the attention of:
Jessica Harvie
Licensing Coordinator
(416) 326-0863
jessica.harvie@agco.ca
Please direct any questions regarding this material to Jessica Harvie.