WHEREAS the Ontario Racing Commission is committed to working with Industry stakeholders to expand the medication control program beyond existing pre-race, post-race testing and retention requirements;  

AND WHEREAS concerns were brought forward by the Quarter Horse Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI) and other participants in the Quarter Horse Racing community regarding alleged misuse of the therapeutic drug clenbuterol;

AND WHEREAS the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) responded to this concern by working with the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) to develop an agreement to allow for enhanced testing of samples;

TAKE NOTICE THAT effective May 13, 2012 all horses competing in Quarter Horse races in Ontario, where those horses have been selected to provide an Official Sample as defined by the CPMA and its regulations, may have their samples subjected to enhanced testing by the ORC for the presence of the drug clenbuterol. 

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT any sample where clenbuterol is detected at a level of 200pg/ml or more in urine, and/or 1 – 2 pg/ml or more in blood, will be deemed to be a violation of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2009 and the Racing Commission Act, 2000 and the following regulatory action against the owner and/or trainer of the horse will result:

1. Disqualification of the horse from the race;
2. Return and redistribution of all earnings from that race;
3. The horse will be ineligible to race until:
   1. The owner of the horse produces a negative test result; and
   2. The ORC investigation is complete
4. Any other penalties that the Director or his designate deems appropriate;

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT if clenbuterol is detected in a horse that has been claimed, the regulatory action will be imposed against the original owner and/or trainer of record and the claimant has the option to return the horse to the original owner and the claiming price will be returned to the claimant.  The request to return the horse shall be made in accordance with the procedure outlined in Rule 12.32 of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing.  If the horse is not returned, the new owner will be required to provide the negative test result prior to entering the horse to race.

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

John L. Blakney
Executive Director

The Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting of Thursday, April 26, 2012, resolved that the Quarter Horse Appendix to the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2009 be amended by the promulgation of the changes to the following Rules, effective immediately:

Chapter 9

JOCKEYS

Rule 9.15.01  A Quarter Horse Jockey shall not:

(a)  be an owner or trainer of any quarter horse race horse,
(b)  compete in any race against a horse owned or trained by his or her spouse, or
(c)  compete in any race against a horse owned by his or her mother, father, brother or sister.

Chapter 12

CLAIMING RACES

Rule 12.01.01  Delete (Thoroughbred Rule 12.01.01 will apply)

Rule 12.08  If a horse is claimed, it shall not be sold or transferred to anyone in whole or in part, except in a claiming race, for a period of thirty (30) clear days from the date of claim. It shall not, unless reclaimed, remain in the same stable or under control or management of its former owner or trainer for the same thirty (30) clear days.

Rule 12.29  Delete (Thoroughbred Rule 12.29 will apply)

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

John L. Blakney
Executive Director

The Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting of Tuesday, June 26, 2012 resolved that the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2009 be amended by the promulgation of the following Rules, effective immediately.

Chapter 3

RACING ASSOCIATIONS AND ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS

3.04.5  Delete, Refer to Thoroughbred Rule version

Chapter 29

TRAINERS, ASSISTANT TRAINERS, AND SUBSTITUTE TRAINERS

29.09  Delete, Refer to Thoroughbred Rule version

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

John L. Blakney
Executive Director