Preamble
WHEREAS after consulting with the public and industry with respect to proposed rule changes and consistent with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)’s movement towards standards-based rules, there was favorable support in the Standardbred industry to revise the current rules and implement a ban on race day medication, with exception of Furosemide properly administered in accordance with the Ontario Standardbred Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program;
AND WHEREAS this rule is not intended to prohibit normal, non-medicated feedstuffs (natural feed such as oats, sweet feed, pellets, hay and hay cubes) and water, non medicated shampoos and topical applications, hoof oils/dressings;
AND WHEREAS this rule will enhance the health and safety of horses and participants, and the integrity of racing;
TAKE NOTICE that the Registrar hereby orders the Rules of Standardbred Racing be amended as follows effective April 19, 2019:
Chapter 6: Violations, Penalties and Expulsions
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Standards-Based Race Day Medication Ban
6.53 No person shall administer, attempt to administer, or cause to be administered, any medication or substance by a nasogastric tube to a horse on race day prior to its race, m cept for emergency treatment, which treatment will result in the horse being scratched from the race.
- Trainers and veterinarians shall ensure that a horse entered to race is not administered any medications, drugs or substances 24 hours prior to post time oJ the first race on the day of racing. Furosemide properly administered in accordance with the Ontario Standardbred Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program shall not be considered a violation of Rule 6.53.
- Trainers shall ensure that there is no unauthorized contact between horses and veterinarians 24 hours prior to post time of the first race on the day of racing, with the exceQtion_of Official and Commission Veterinarians.
- Veterinarians shall not have unauthorized contact with horses 24 hours prior to post-time of the first race on the day of racing. Veterinarians licensed in multiple categories shall be prohibited from acting in the capacity as a veterinarian for a horse entered to race during the 24 hour period.
- Should a veterinarian be regu_i_red to treat a horse entered to race within 24 hours prior to post time of the first race on the day of racing on an emergency basis, the veterinarian and the trainer shall notify a Judge as soon as reasonable in the circumstances and th horse shall be scratched.
- If a horse has raced after unauthorize_d contact with a veterinarian. the horse shall be disqualified for the race in question and if any purse money was earned it shall be redistributed.
- A Judge may order the withdrawal or disqualification of any horse that has been admlnistered ny medication contrary to Rule 6.53.
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Chapter 8: Commission Veterinarians, Official Veterinarians and Other Veterinarians
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8.11 A veterinarian may be held wholly or partially responsible if any drug, substance or medication administered or prescribed by him/her results in:
- the issuance of a certificate of positive analysis under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations,
- an excess level of total carbon dioxide for purposes of the Rules, or
- confirmation of the administration of
- erythropoietin or any of its synthetic derivatives for purposes of the Rules,
- a violation of Rule 6.53:
and, if held wholly or partially responsible, may be assessed a monetary penalty and/or suspended by the Judges.
Chapter 26: Trainers and Grooms
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26.02.03 Notwithstanding 26.02.01, the Commission and all delegated officials shall consider the following to be absolute liability violations:
- Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive for any substances determined to be non-therapeutic;
- Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from the out-of-competition program;
- Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from testing in accordance with or under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations;
- Any trainer whose horse(s) level of TC02 equals or exceeds the levels set out in Rule 22.38
- Any trainer whose horse(s) is administered a medication, drug or substance contrary to Rule 6.53.
By the order of the Registrar
Jean Major
Registrar