The Horseperson classification permits an individual to participate in horse racing in the Province of Ontario. Applicants must be an active participant in Standardbred, Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse racing or be actively engaged in his/her occupation or profession at a Standardbred, Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse racetrack.

Note:  A Horseperson licensee must also hold a secondary licence.

If you have not renewed your licence for five (5) years or more, you will be treated as a new licence applicant.

Application Name	Code	Description
Authorized Agent	AAGT	Permits an individual to act on behalf of an Owner for the purpose of claiming a horse.
Driver	DRV	Permits an individual to drive a horse in a Standardbred race. Drivers must be certified by Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association (USTA) prior to applying for an AGCO Driver licence. Note: Applicant must (1) also select “Trainer” from the list of Secondary licence types and (2) present to AGCO Judges a physician’s report of a complete physical examination acceptable to the AGCO and once every two years, an eye examination by an ophthalmologist or an acceptable optometrist.
Exercise Person	EXER	Permits an individual to ride or exercise a race horse(s) according to an AGCO licensed Trainer’s workout instructions. Note: An Exercise Person is not permitted to ride a horse during a race.
Groom	GRM	Permits an individual to provide care and maintenance for a race horse(s) according to an AGCO licensed Trainer’s instructions. Note: Applicant must be acting in a Groom capacity.
Hot Walker	HWKR	Permits an individual to cool down a race horse(s) by walking a horse by hand according to an AGCO licensed Trainer’s instructions. Note: Applicant must be (1) acting in a Hot Walker capacity and (2) employed by a licensed AGCO Trainer.
Jockey	JKY	Permits an individual to ride a race horse in a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse race. Note: Applicant must (1) abide by weight guidelines at the time of racing and (2) present to the AGCO Stewards a physician’s report of a complete physical examination, acceptable to the AGCO, and once every two years, an eye examination by an ophthalmologist or an acceptable optometrist.
Apprentice Jockey	AJKY	Permits an individual to ride a race horse in a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse race where they have not yet met the certification requirements for an AGCO Jockey licence. Note: Applicant must (1) abide by weight guidelines at the time of racing and (2) present to the AGCO Stewards a physician’s report of a complete physical examination, acceptable to the AGCO, and once every two years, an eye examination by an ophthalmologist or an acceptable optometrist.
Jockey Agent	JAGT	Permits an individual to make engagements for the Jockey he/she represents to ride.
Jockey Valet	JKYV	Permits an individual to assist a jockey in pre- and post-race activities and to manage a jockey’s equipment.
Veterinarian	VET	Permits an individual to examine, treat, and prescribe or administer a legal drug, substance or medication to a race horse. Note: Applicant must (1) hold a valid licence with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and (2) be affiliated with a practice that is accredited to practice on horses. Licensed veterinarians must be familiar with all applicable provincial and federal rules and legislation concerning horse racing, including the AGCO’s Rules of Racing and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency’s elimination schedule for therapeutic medications.
Occupational	OCC	Permits an individual employed by a Racetrack to perform duties relating to areas such as security, parking, catering, maintenance, housekeeping, admissions, program department or publicity.
Owner	OWNR	Permits an individual who owns all or part of a race horse(s) to participate in horse racing in Ontario. Note: Applicant must (1) have a horse of racing age in Ontario, (2) declare their trainer on their application, (3) continue to register colours (TB/QH Owners only) and (4) include the name(s) of horses they own.
Pari-Mtuel Ticket Seller	PMTS	Permits an individual to issue or pay out pari-mutuel tickets. Note: Applicant must be over the age of 18. For more information about applying for a federal betting permit to conduct pari-mutuel betting at a racetrack location, please visit the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency website at www.agr.gc.ca
Rider	RUS	Permits an individual to ride a Standardbred horse in a Racing Under Saddle (RUS) race. Applicants will not be permitted to race unless they have (1) qualified and (2) met the requirements of Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association (USTA).
Spouse of Licensee	SPOL	Permits a spouse of an AGCO licensee to access secure areas of a Racetrack. Limited to Owner Licence category. Note: Licensee must (1) hold a valid AGCO licence and (2) always accompany their spouse in secure areas of the racetrack. Spouse means either of two persons who: Are married to each other; or Not being married to each other, are cohabiting in a relationship of some permanence but does not include persons who are living separate and apart from each other pursuant to a written agreement.
Tradesperson  - Employer	TDER	Permits an individual not employed by a Racetrack Association to perform their trade or duties at a Racetrack. This category includes tradespeople who employ others or are self-employed for the practices of their trade, such as blacksmiths, blood stock agents, chiropractors and massage therapists, members of the media, photographers and feed supply services.
Tradesperson   - Employee	TDEE	Permits an individual employed by an AGCO licensed Tradesperson - Employer to perform their duties at a Racetrack (e.g. feed delivery, veterinarian assistant). This category includes tradespeople employed for the practice of their trade such as feed supply/delivery persons, bookkeepers, photographers employed by a publication, and veterinarian assistants.
Trainer	TRN	Permits an individual to train and to take care and custody of a race horse(s), and to represent an AGCO licensed Owner in the matter of all entries, scratches, declarations and the engagement of jockeys, drivers, veterinarians and tradespersons. In order for a Trainer to claim a horse on behalf of an Owner, they must also hold an Authorized Agent licence. Note: New applicants must (1) be accredited from their respective industry association, such as the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. or Standardbred Canada or (2) hold a valid trainer licence with another racing jurisdiction. Any person who employs staff must (1) be registered with the Workers Safety and Insurance Board and (2) have this documentation readily available upon request.
Assistant Trainer	ATRN	Permits an individual to perform the duties of a Trainer under the direction of an AGCO licensed Trainer.
Program Breed	BRDR	Permits an individual who owns breeding horses that are not currently racing to participate in Horse Improvement Programs in Ontario.
Association Official	AO	Permits an individual employed by a Racetrack Association, or working on their behalf, to access secure areas of a Racetrack, such as a backstretch or paddock, to perform their duties. This includes department heads of the Racetrack Association, Official Veterinarians, test inspectors, Lasix veterinarian technicians, OnTrack Media employees and ambulance attendants.
Stable or Corporate Manager	SMGR	Permits an individual not otherwise licensed by the AGCO to act for a racing stable or multiple ownership entity as a Stable or Corporate Manager.

 

Application  Name	Code	Description
Claiming Certificate	CLM	Permits an individual who does not have a valid AGCO licence to claim a race horse. Note: An individual who already possesses a valid AGCO Owner licence is not required to apply for a Claiming Certificate to claim a race horse. Once a horse is claimed using the Claiming Certificate, the new owner must then apply for an AGCO Owner Licence prior to racing.
Lease Registration	LEA	Permits a lessee to register their relationship with an Owner (lessor) as it pertains to the leasing of the racing qualities of a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse. Note: The lessee and the lessor must have a valid AGCO Owner Licence.
Stable Licence	STBL	Permits a stable or multiple ownership entity that owns all or part of a race horse(s), such as a corporation or a legal partnership, to participate in horse racing in Ontario. One or more of the following constituting documents must be uploaded: Certificate or Articles of Incorporation; Charter/By-Laws; Partnership Agreement; Limited Partnership Agreement; Limited Partnership Declaration; Shareholder’s Agreement; Trust Agreement; Letter of Good Standing; any other constituting documentation relevant to the entity.
Partnership Registration	PTSP	Permits a racing partnership of multiple owners that own all or part of a Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse race horse(s) to participate in horse racing in Ontario. Note: No horse will be accepted for entry in races at tracks under the jurisdiction of the AGCO unless all individuals required are licensed pursuant to the Rules of Racing. In the case of a corporate structure change, applicants must: Submit an amendment for a change within the existing licence, to report a percentage change within current partners Apply for a new partnership licence, to add or remove a member Thoroughbred Applicants must register the ownership with the breed registry body and the Jockey Club of Canada (or in the United States through the Jockey Club). Quarter Horse Applicants must register the ownership with the breed registry body and the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (or in the United States through the American Quarter Horse Association). A separate Horseperson Licence application to be licensed as an owner must be submitted by (1) any individual owning at least five per cent (5%) of any horse in a Partnership, (2) a Stable applicant and (3) an Estate/Trust applicant.
Estate/Trust Licence	ESTR	Permits an estate or trust that owns all or part of a race horse(s) to participate in horse racing in Ontario. Note: Applicant must (1) be licensed as an Owner, (2) register the ownership with the breed registry body and the Jockey Club of Canada (or in the United States through the Jockey Club) and (3) include the name(s) of the horses they own.

 

A Regulatory Submission must be submitted to report a change of employment relationship between an Employer (to report on any occupational licensee terminated from their employment) and an Employee (to report changes in their employment relationship(s) to the AGCO) by the following licensees:

• Assistant Trainer
• Association Official
• Exercise Person
• Groom
• Hot Walker
• Jockey Agent
• Occupational
• Pari-Mutuel Ticket Seller
• Tradesperson – Employee

Note: 
It is a requirement for select licence categories (i.e. Groom, Hot Walker, Exercise Person) to be employed by an AGCO licensee.

Any addition or removal of a licence category must be submitted through a separate “Request a Change” submission.

You may have the option to submit documents with your submission. This may include:

• Notification Document
• Conditions for New Exercise Person (applicable to Exercise Person only)

To report a change in employment relationship, you will be required to answer a number of questions and provide information relating to your employment.

A Regulatory Submission must be submitted by a Trainer to declare a transfer of Trainer. AGCO Racing Official approval is required for a transfer of one or more horses from a Trainer of record to another Trainer of record under the Rules of Racing. A Regulatory Submission – Declaration for Transfer of Trainer must be completed by the new Trainer prior to the transfer.

If the licence of a current Trainer of record is suspended or revoked, or the Trainer of record is unlicensed or otherwise ineligible to train horses in Ontario, the horses under his or her care and control are not eligible to be entered or to race in the province of Ontario until the Racing Officials have approved a transfer of the horses to one or more other Trainers of record.

Note:
If horses being transferred are owned by different owners, Declarations for Transfer of Trainer must be submitted separately for each ownership group.

No person (1) whose licence is suspended under the Rules of Racing under the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015 or (2) who is not licensed, may provide goods or services for which a licence is required with respect to race horses.

If you are not new to racing in Ontario and this is your first time using iAGCO, you must obtain a one-time access code prior to creating your iAGCO account. Contact Customer Service Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at 416-326-8700 or toll-free 1-800-522-2876. You can also ask an AGCO Licensing Agent at any open track office or email racinglicensing@agco.ca

If you are new to iAGCO, watch these 2-minute tutorials:

How to Create an iAGCO Account

How to Make a Regulatory Submission

To declare a transfer of Trainer, you will be required to:

• include a Signature of Owner(s) (Declaration for Transfer of Trainer) form signed by the owners of the horse
• answer questions and provide information about the transfer

To submit your Regulatory Submission on iAGCO, follow these steps:

1. From the Main Menu, click the Submit Regulatory Submissions and Notifications link.
2. Select the Declaration for Transfer of Trainer link.
3. Select a licence from the Licence dropdown.
   NOTE: Only users with a Trainer licence linked to their account will be able to submit this type.
   

4. Enter your horse information, using the Add Horse button to create any additional horse entries. Click “Add Horse” button to to add additional horses.

   

5. Answer questions and upload required documents on the following screens.

6. Submit the Regulatory Submission using the Submit button.

A Regulatory Submission – EIPH Program – Horse Opt-Out (Shipping in to Compete in Ontario) must be submitted by an Owner, Trainer or Assistant Trainer to opt-out horse(s) shipping in to compete in Ontario from another jurisdiction who are on an Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program (Lasix) in another jurisdiction from the Program.

You may be required to submit a Notification Document with your submission and you will be required to provide the name and tattoo/microchip of the horse.

A Regulatory Submission – EIPH Program – Add or Remove Horse (Ordinarily Competing in Ontario) must be submitted by a Veterinarian, Trainer, Assistant Trainer or Owner to place or remove a horse ordinarily competing in Ontario to or from the Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program (Lasix). The signature of an authorized veterinarian is required.

You are also required to submit an Authorization of Trainer (EIPH Program) with your submission to place the horse on the Program.

Note: 

• The AGCO will assume that all horses coming from outside of Ontario (if their last race was outside of Ontario) are on Lasix, and will automatically enroll them into the EIPH program.
• A certified horse must remain on the Lasix Program for 100 days calculated from the date of its initial or most recent certification.
• A horse must be enrolled in the EIPH Program by the time of entry.

How to Make an Online Regulatory Submission to add/remove a horse to/from the EIPH Program in Ontario on iAGCO

To add a horse to (or remove a horse from) the Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program in Ontario, you will need to make an online regulatory submission through the iAGCO portal at www.agco.ca/iAGCO.

To ensure your horse is eligible to race, you are advised to go online and make your regulatory submission several days before the entry date for your intended race date.

What you need to know

To add a horse to (or remove a horse from) the EIPH Program:

1. Complete and sign the EIPH Program Authorization form for each horse you are looking to add to (or remove from) the EIPH program.
2. Have your licensed veterinarian complete and sign the “Attending Veterinarian” section of the same form. (Veterinarians making a submission, must complete this section themselves and have a Trainer, Owner or Assistant Trainer sign the form.)
3. Create an iAGCO Account.
   NOTE: If you have participated in racing in Ontario before and this is your first time using iAGCO, you will need a one-time Access Code to link your account to your existing licence:
   • Call AGCO Customer Service Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.at 416-326-8700 or toll-free 1-800-522-2876
   • Ask an AGCO Licensing Agent at any open track office (see the current track office schedule)
   • Email an AGCO Licensing Agent: racinglicensing@agco.ca

4. Go online to Regulatory Submission and Notifications on iAGCO, select “EIPH Program - Add or Remove Horse (Ordinarily Competing in Ontario)” and follow the steps on your screen

• To upload your EIPH Program Authorization form, you may: (1) complete and sign the form electronically, (2) print and scan the form or (3) take a photo of it.

Important Notes

• The ability to make an EIPH Program regulatory submission in iAGCO is available for trainers, assistant trainers, owners and veterinarians.
• You no longer have to obtain a signature from an Official Veterinarian to complete this process (only a licensed veterinarian’s signature is required).
• Printed copies of the EIPH Program Authorization form are available in open track offices.
• A regulatory submission is not required for horses that are already on the Ontario EIPH program. You can use the online Horse Search feature on iAGCO (version française) to see if a horse is currently on the EIPH program.

Helpful Resources

• EIPH Program Authorization form
• How to Create an iAGCO Account video
• How to Make a Regulatory Submission video
• Follow AGCO Racing on Twitter @AGCO_Racing
• To reach an AGCO Veterinary Clerk, email:
  • sarah.beauchamp@agco.ca
  • krista.tipping@agco.ca
  • VetClerks@agco.ca
  • lea-anne.watson@agco.ca
• See the AGCO horseracing blog page for horse racing Industry Notices issued during the COVID-19 pandemic 
• See the Helpful Resources section of the iAGCO Guide for Horse Racing

A Regulatory Submission – Notification of an Equine Surgical Procedure must be submitted by a Veterinarian, Trainer or Assistant Trainer to notify the AGCO of an equine surgical procedure (i.e. posterior digital neurectomy).

To notify the AGCO of an equine surgical procedure, you may have the option to submit documents with your submission. This may include:

• Signature of Attending Vet (Surgical Procedure)
• Notification Document

You will also be required to provide the following information:

1. The name and tattoo/microchip of the horse
2. The date of equine surgical procedure (MM/DD/YYYY)
3. Name and details of the equine surgical procedure
4. Note: You may be contacted by the AGCO with a request for additional information
5. The exact anatomical location(s) of the surgical site.

A Regulatory Submission – Notification of Equine Fatality must be submitted by a Trainer, Assistant Trainer, Owner, Stable Licence, Partnership Registration, Estate/Trust Licence or Veterinarian to notify the AGCO of a race horse fatality.

Note:
Race horses in Ontario that die within 60 days of entering a race, a workout or a qualifying event must be reported to the AGCO. Horse(s) may be sent for a post mortem examination.

The AGCO wishes to convey condolences on the loss of any horse. A member of the AGCO Veterinary Services team will contact you for more information to advise whether the horse is required to go for a post-mortem examination.

You will also be required to answer a number of questions and provide information relating to the Trainer and fatality (i.e. date, time, location).

To submit your Regulatory Submission on the iAGCO online portal, follow these steps:

1. From the Main Menu, click the Submit Regulatory Submissions and Notifications link.
   

2. Select the Notification of Equine Fatality link.
   NOTE: only users with certain types of Racing licences linked to their account will be able to submit this type.
   

3. Select a licence from the licence drop down and fill in the Horse Information section.
   

4. If applicable, answer any questions and upload any required documents on the following screens.

5. Submit the Regulatory Submission using the Submit button.