As part of the AGCO’s ongoing commitment to protecting Ontario’s racehorses, enhancing the integrity of racing and providing a regulatory framework appropriate for today’s racing industry, AGCO announced and implemented a number of equine welfare reforms in 2023-24. These reforms included:
- Banning certain medications and substances in horses participating in an Official Workout (Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse) or in a Qualifying Race (Standardbred);
- A new rule requiring licensed trainers to report all stabling locations they operate under their licence, including any location changes to the Registrar within five (5) calendar days.
- A revision of 22.19 of the Standardbred Rules of Racing to update language and the penalty structure that prohibits a driver’s foot to make contact with the horse in any manner, aligning it more closely with the urging provisions.
- Reinstated breathalyzer testing for horseracing participants in Safety Sensitive Positions, including drivers, jockeys, valets, and track maintenance personnel and resumed testing for the Human Alcohol and Drug Program, given that COVID-19 public health restrictions are no longer in effect.
- The AGCO made permanent a number of temporary COVID-19 rule amendments to provide additional flexibility and positive impact to the sustainability of the industry.