Confirmation of Strangles cases in London, Ontario

(Update February 12, 2026): Following extensive consultation between provincial and private veterinary experts and industry stakeholders, the AGCO will permit eligible horses in Barn 1 at Dorchester Downs to return to racing, effective February 16, 2026. Racing eligibility is strictly contingent on all agreed biosecurity protocols being followed. 

For more details, please see: Return to racing plan announced for horses in Dorchester Downs Barn 1

(Update January 21, 2026): In an update from provincial and private veterinary experts, the AGCO has been advised that horses in Barn 2 at Dorchester Downs have not tested positive or exhibited clinical signs consistent with Strangles in the past 14 days. As a result, the AGCO has accepted their recommendation to permit these horses to return to race eligibility, as of January 20, 2026.

Horses in Barn 1 continue to be restricted from racing until further notice and will remain under close monitoring by officials.

(Update January 7, 2026): Following a meeting with a veterinarian from OMAFA, an infectious disease expert from the University of Guelph and private veterinarians, the AGCO was advised that horses from Barn 3 at Dorchester Downs have been deemed a low risk to the racing community.

Horses in this barn have not demonstrated any symptoms and have not had any known exposure to symptomatic horses in more than 10 days. As a result, horses in Barn 3 will be permitted to return to race eligibility. 

Horses in the other two barns on the property continue to be restricted from racing until further notice and will remain under close monitoring by officials. 

Update (December 30, 2025): On December 29, 2025, OMAFA reported that an additional 5 symptomatic racehorses had been tested for Strangles, with 4 of those tests returning positive. In response to these developments, the AGCO is restricting all horses in all barns at Dorchester Downs from racing effective immediately. The AGCO will continue to closely monitor the situation in consultation with our partners and will continue to update its mitigation measures accordingly.

Update (December 22, 2025): Two additional febrile horses have been tested and have been cleared for Strangles. With the exception of the initially affected quadrant, the remaining asymptomatic horses in Barn 1 are being released from precautionary quarantine. Trainers and veterinarians are asked to continue monitoring these horses. They are now permitted to return to racing.

Update (December 12, 2025): The remaining horses in Barn 1 at Dorchester Downs are being placed in precautionary quarantine until further notice, while horses in Barn 2 and 3 are being monitored but remain eligible to race.