Information Bulletin No 97. – New Rules Restricting Certain Medications for Horses Participating in Workouts or Qualifiers Now in Effect

As a reminder, rules TB 15.40.01 and SB 6.54.01 restricting certain medications for horses participating in Workouts and Qualifiers are now in effect. These rules are reflective of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) continued commitment to protecting Ontario racehorses and strengthening the integrity of racing.

Starting January 1, 2024, all horses participating in Workouts and Qualifiers may be tested and must not test positive for any substance that is a corticosteroid, analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or local anesthetic including, but not limited to, substances that have a Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) Elimination Guideline.

The regulated medications can mask pain associated with injuries and/or have been linked to an increased risk of injuries and fatalities. In line with the AGCO’s continued focus on equine welfare, the implementation of these rules aims to protect horses and ensure they are only training at high speeds when they are well enough to do so.

Any positive cases are subject to penalties and disqualification, and the new rules have been updated with associated penalty provisions to provide more clarity and transparency.

Test results are typically received before a horse race in a pari-mutuel start; however, in the rare case they do not, the horse will still be permitted to participate in the race. A positive test sample received after the running of a race will result in the horse being considered retroactively ineligible to have started and therefore disqualified.

Supporting Guidance Documents

Tip Sheet: Your Responsibility to be Familiar with CPMA Elimination Guidelines and Medications Regulated in Official Workout and Qualifier Testing
- Provides additional clarity on rule TB 15.40.01 and SB 6.54.01 testing requirements, examples of regulated substances not included in the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency’s (CPMA) Elimination Guidelines but falling under the restricted categories, and guidance on navigating the CPMA Elimination Guidelines website.
Q&As: Out of Competition Testing for Licensees
- Provides answers to specific questions about the implementation of rules TB 15.40.01 and SB 6.54.01, licensee expectations, and the impacts to racing.

Licensees can also submit specific questions about the new rule requirements using our iAGCO portal.

Changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing

New rule added in Chapter 15: Misconduct, Needles, Syringes and Searches, of the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing stating:

15.40.01 No horse participating in a workout shall test positive for any substance that is a corticosteroid, analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or local anesthetic, including but not limited to, those substances that Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency has listed an Elimination Guideline. Violation of this rule shall result in:

A minimum $500 monetary penalty at the discretion of the Stewards and;
The horse shall have its workout removed.

Changes to the Standardbred Rules of Racing

New rule added in Chapter 6: Violations, Penalties and Expulsions, of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:

6.54.01 No horse participating in a qualifier shall test positive for any substance that is a corticosteroid, analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or local anesthetic, including but not limited to, those substances that Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency has listed an Elimination Guideline. Violation of this rule shall result in: