Horse Racing Licence Guide: Individuals and Administrative
Under the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015 and its regulations, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for the licensing of racetracks, teletheatres and racing participants.
This Guide contains detailed information to assist you in applying for the following licences, registrations and certificates (see Section 1 for a description of licence types and Appendix A – for a reference guide to licence types).
INDIVIDUAL LICENCES
1. Apprentice Jockey | 8. Hot Walker | 15. Program Breed |
2. Assistant Trainer | 9. Jockey | 16. Rider |
3. Association Official | 10. Jockey Agent | 17. Spouse of Licensee |
4. Authorized Agent | 11. Jockey Valet | 18. Stable or Corporate Manager |
5. Driver | 12. Occupational | 19. Tradesperson - Employee |
6. Exercise Person | 13. Owner | 20. Tradesperson - Employer |
7. Groom | 14. Pari-Mutuel Ticket Seller | 21. Trainer |
22. Veterinarian |
Administrative
- Claiming Certificate
- Estate/Trust Licence
- Lease Registration
- Partnership Registration
- Stable Licence
In addition, this Guide also contains detailed information to assist you in submitting a Regulatory Submission for:
- Change in Employment Relationship
- Declaration for Transfer of Trainer
- EIPH Program – Horse Opt-Out (Shipping in to Compete in Ontario)
- EIPH Program – Add or Remove Horse (Ordinarily Competing in Ontario)
- Notification of an Equine Surgical Procedure
- Notification of an Equine Fatality
Note: You must submit your application online through the iAGCO portal. To access iAGCO, click on the “iAGCO Online Services” button at the top of the AGCO's webpage. iAGCO provides an easy, convenient way to apply for, change and renew your horse racing-related licences and registrations anytime, from anywhere.
Important Information
Responsibilities of a Horse Racing Licence/Registration Holder
For complete details about your legal responsibilities as a licence holder, please refer to the:
- Horse Racing Licence Act and its regulations, available online at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca or by contacting Publications Ontario at 416-326-5300 or toll-free at 1-800-668-9938
- Rules of Standardbred Racing
- Rules of Thoroughbred Racing
Note: No horse will be eligible to race in Ontario unless all parties required to be licensed pursuant to the Rules are in good standing.
Fees and Payment
- Please refer to the AGCO’s Application Fee Schedule for the applicable fee.
- When using online services, all payments under $30,000 must be made by Visa, MasterCard, Visa Debit, MasterCard Debit or pre-paid Visa or MasterCard.
- Payments of $30,000 or more must be made by money wire transfer or electronic funds transfer. Please note that cheques and cash (including USD) are not accepted.
- For more information please contact AGCO Customer Service, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (EST), at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876. You may also submit your inquiry anytime via the iAGCO online portal.
- All fees must be submitted at time of application and are non-refundable.
Warning
- Do not misrepresent or omit any material fact(s). Each statement made in your application is subject to verification.
- It is a serious offence to knowingly provide false information on the forms and on any attachments.
- The provision of false, incomplete, or misleading information or the omission of information on the forms or in the documents submitted with your application, or the failure to notify the AGCO of any material changes to this information which occur after an application is filed, may also result in the refusal, suspension or revocation of your Horse Racing Licence.
- If you require assistance with your application, please contact AGCO Customer Service, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (EST), at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876. You may also submit your inquiry anytime via the iAGCO online portal.
Section 1: Application Types
For more information on licence types, please see Appendix A – Licence Type Reference Guide. If you need assistance, please contact AGCO Customer Service, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (EST), at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876. You may also submit your inquiry anytime via the iAGCO online portal.
Primary Licence Type: Horseperson
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.
Note: In iAGCO, you must first select “Horseperson” as the primary licence type, and then select the applicable secondary licence. See Secondary Applications and Licence.
Secondary Applications and Licence Types - Individuals
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 |
|
Exercise Person | EXER |
|
Groom | GRM |
|
Hot Walker | HWKR |
|
Jockey | JKY |
|
Apprentice Jockey | AJKY |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Pari-Mutuel Ticket Seller | PMTS |
|
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 |
Spouse means either of two persons who:
|
Tradesperson - Employer | TDER |
|
Tradesperson - Employee | TDEE |
|
Trainer | TRN |
|
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 |
|
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. |
To see additional roles and which secondary licence you should apply for, see Licence Type Reference Guide.
Primary Applications and Licence Types - Business-Related
Application Name | Code | Description |
---|---|---|
Claiming Certificate | CLM |
|
Lease Registration | LEA |
|
Stable Licence | STBL |
|
Partnership Registration | PTSP |
|
Estate/Trust Licence | ESTR |
|
Section 2: Required Information
Additional Documents
You must scan and upload to iAGCO any required additional documents.
Conditions
Under risk-based licensing, the Registrar may attach one or more conditions to your licence to help you minimize risks identified during the assessment process.
You may apply to remove and/or add conditions on your licence if there has been a change in circumstances.
Section 3: Licence Renewals
As a courtesy, you will receive a renewal reminder from the AGCO sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date of your licence.
You must apply to renew your licence and submit the appropriate fee online via the iAGCO portal prior to the expiry date.
If the AGCO receives your application and fee(s) on or before the expiry date, you will receive a Renewal Confirmation Notice allowing you to operate until you receive your licence.
If the AGCO has not received your renewal application by the expiry date on your licence, your licence will expire.
If you do not renew your licence within five (5) years, you will be treated as a new applicant if you choose to apply to be re-licensed (NOTE: applicable only to Horseperson, Stable, Partnership and Estate/Trust applicants).
Section 4: Modifications to Existing Licences
Adding or Removing Categories
To add a category (i.e. add Standardbred to a Thoroughbred Owner licence):
- Click on the link to Add a Secondary
- Select your Horseperson primary licence
- Click “Next”
- Select type of change: “Add Category(s)”
- Click “Next”
- Click “Add Secondaries” and choose the secondary categories you wish to add to your Horseperson application
- Select the breed for each selected secondary
- Proceed through all of the screens, answer all of the questions, provide the required documentation and pay the applicable fee to submit your change application.
To remove a category:
- Click on the link to Request a Change
- Select your Horseperson primary licence
- Type of change: “Remove Category(s)”
- Proceed through all of the screens, answer all of the questions and provide the required documentation.
Making Changes to Your Licence that Directly Change the Licence Certificate on iAGCO
Under Existing Licences / Permits / Authorizations / Registrations:
- Click on the link to Request a Change
- Select your licence/registration type from the drop down list
- Type of change:
- For employment-related changes, select Change of Employment from drop down list
- For changes in name or address, select Other Changes from drop down list
- Proceed through all of the screens and answer all of the questions, provide any required documentation and pay the applicable fee to submit your change application.
Section 5: Regulatory Submissions
Regulatory Submissions must be made online through the iAGCO portal to report (1) a change in employment relationship, (2) a declaration for transfer of trainer, (3) an EIPH Program horse opt-out, (4) add or remove a horse to or from the EIPH Program (5) a notification of an equine surgical procedure and (6) a notification of an equine fatality. To submit a Regulatory Submission on iAGCO, click the Submit Regulatory Submissions and Notification link on the Main Menu, select the Regulatory Submission you wish to submit and follow the steps as instructed. For more information on the five types of Regulatory Submissions, please see below.
Regulatory Submission - Change of Employment Relationship(s)
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.
Regulatory Submission Declaration for Transfer of Trainer
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:
- From the Main Menu, click the Submit Regulatory Submissions and Notifications link.
- Select the Declaration for Transfer of Trainer link.
- 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. -
Enter your horse information, using the Add Horse button to create any additional horse entries. Click “Add Horse” button to to add additional horses.
-
Answer questions and upload required documents on the following screens.
-
Submit the Regulatory Submission using the Submit button.
Regulatory Submission – EIPH Program – Horse Opt-Out (Shipping in to Compete in Ontario)
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.
Regulatory Submission – EIPH Program – Add or Remove Horse (Ordinarily Competing in Ontario)
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:
- Complete and sign the EIPH Program Authorization form for each horse you are looking to add to (or remove from) the EIPH program.
- 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.)
- 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
- 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:
- See the Helpful Resources section of the iAGCO Guide for Horse Racing
Regulatory Submission – Notification of an Equine Surgical Procedure
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:
- The name and tattoo/microchip of the horse
- The date of equine surgical procedure (MM/DD/YYYY)
- Name and details of the equine surgical procedure
- Note: You may be contacted by the AGCO with a request for additional information
- The exact anatomical location(s) of the surgical site.
Regulatory Submission – Notification of Equine Fatality
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:
- From the Main Menu, click the Submit Regulatory Submissions and Notifications link.
-
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. -
Select a licence from the licence drop down and fill in the Horse Information section.
-
If applicable, answer any questions and upload any required documents on the following screens.
-
Submit the Regulatory Submission using the Submit button.
Appendix A – Licence Type Reference Guide
Feed & Supply Companies | Licence Type |
---|---|
Company | Tradesperson - Employer |
Delivery | Tradesperson - Employee |
Employee | Tradesperson - Employee |
Sales Representative | Tradesperson - Employee |
Tack Shop | Tradesperson - Employee |
Veterinary Supplies | Tradesperson - Employee |
Waster Removal | Tradesperson - Employee |
Industry | Licence Type |
---|---|
Bloodstock Agent | Tradesperson - Employer |
LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society Representatives | Tradesperson - Employer |
Racetrack Employees | Licence Type |
---|---|
Backstretch Kitchen Staff | Occupational |
Contractor | Occupational |
Entry Clerk | Association Official |
Maintenance (Community Service Volunteer) | Occupational |
Outrider | Association Official |
Silk Maker (incl. Assistants) | Association Official |
Tattoo Person | Association Official |
Tote - Staff | Occupational |
Vet Tech - Racing Forensics Staff | Association Official |
WEG Driver | Occupational |
Veterinarians | Licence Type |
---|---|
Equine Chiropractor | Tradesperson - Employer |
Equine Dentist | Tradesperson - Employer |
Equine Massage Therapist | Tradesperson - Employer |
Registered Veterinarian Technician | Tradesperson - Employee |
Veterinarian Assistant | Tradesperson - Employee |
Trades | Licence Type |
---|---|
Apprentice Assistant Trainer (QH Only) | Assistant Trainer |
Apprentice Blacksmith | Tradesperson |
Assistant Blacksmith | Tradesperson |
Assistant Farm Manager | Stable Manager |
Blacksmith | Tradesperson - Employer |
Blanket Repair | Tradesperson - Employer |
Blanket Repair Assistant | Tradesperson |
Chaplain | Tradesperson - Employer |
Farm Manager | Stable Manager |
Pony-Barn Manager | Stable Manager |
QH Pony Person | Exercise Person |
Van Driver (aka Horse Transport) | Tradesperson - Employer |
Media | Licence Type |
---|---|
Freelance | Tradesperson - Employer |
Industry Publications | Tradesperson - Employee |
Newspaper/Magazine | Tradesperson - Employee |
OnTrack | Association Official |
Photo Finish | Association Official |
Photographer | Tradesperson - Employer |
WEG Media/Broadcasting | Association Official |
Association Officials | Licence Type |
---|---|
Ambulance Driver | Association Official |
Paramedic | Association Official |
Guests
The following individuals will not be issued licences, but should register with Racetrack security as a Guest:
- Barrister & Solicitor
- Insurance consultant - Classic Equine
- Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) Staff
- HBPA Retiree
- Jockey Club of Canada Representatives