Equine Drug Program

The AGCO has practices and procedures in place that focus on integrity, fairness and safety in horse racing and the health and welfare of the horse. The AGCO continues to be an industry leader in setting the standard for promoting equine health and safety, and holding those who fail to follow regulations accountable for their actions.

Changes to the Equine Drug Program Process: Effective April 21, 2018

As announced on February 8, 2018 in the Equine Drug Program Working Group’s Summary Report, the AGCO is introducing a number of measures which will streamline the AGCO Equine Drug Program processes. These changes include the following:

  • The Penalty Guidelines are being updated, to better reflect the severity of equine drug violations and better protect equine athletes.
  • The Race Official’s review of a positive test will be a more efficient process;
  • Standardization of the process for offering settlements for most drug violations with early admission;
  • Horses will no longer be automatically suspended for 90 days following a positive test.

Please click on the image to view/download the process map:

Equine drug program process

Positive Test Results and Regulatory Action Taken

Positive equine drug test results will be published here, along with the accompanying rulings.

Related News and Information Bulletins

Supporting Documents

Useful Links

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA)

The CPMA operates an Equine Drug Control Program (EDCP) in support of its mandate to ensure that pari-mutuel betting is conducted in a way that is fair to the public. The EDCP is responsible for collecting and testing official equine samples associated with pari-mutuel horse races, overseeing the operation of the retention areas at racecourses, overseeing its official testing laboratories and conducting research to establish equine drug elimination guidelines.

Horse Racing Appeal Panel (HRAP)

Pursuant to the Horse Racing Licence Act 2015, the HRAP is an independent adjudicative body mandated to hear appeals of decisions made under the Rules of Racing

Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT)

Appeals resulting from proposed refusals, suspensions and revocations of licences pursuant to Notices of Proposed Orders are heard by the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).

Rules of Racing and Directives

The Rules of Racing are established by the Registrar of Alcohol, Gaming and Racing in accordance with Subsection 5(1) of the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015. Directives are issued by the Registrar to support understanding and provide updates. Once issued, a Directives has the same force and effect as a Rule.

Equine Medication Use & Awareness Program

The AGCO Equine Medication Use and Awareness Program is an e-learning course that raises horseracing licensees’ awareness of their obligations related to the use of equine medication. This self-directed online e-learning course is designed to help reduce equine medication misuse by horseracing participants. 

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