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Horse Racing Licensing

In 2019–2020, the AGCO continued its efforts to implement a regulatory framework that supports a modern, efficient, and consumer-focused racing industry. AGCO Licensing Agents work at racetracks and at the AGCO’s Head Office in Toronto. The AGCO licenses participants in the horse racing industry, such as jockeys, trainers, drivers, veterinarians, stables and partnerships, racetracks associations, and teletheatres.

TABLE 16 – Horse Racing Licensing

Licensing (Number of licences issued)

2018–19

2019–20

Thoroughbred

5,628

4,537

Quarter Horse

476

428

Standardbred

9,717

8,998

Teletheatres

66

59

Racetracks

15

15

Total

15,902

14,037

Ontario Racetracks

Thoroughbred

  • Fort Erie Race Track, Fort Erie
  • Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto

Standardbred

  • Clinton Raceway, Clinton
  • Dresden Raceway, Dresden
  • Flamboro Downs, Dundas
  • Georgian Downs, Innisfil
  • Grand River Raceway, Elora
  • Hanover Raceway, Hanover
  • Hiawatha Horse Park, Sarnia
  • Kawartha Downs, Fraserville
  • Lakeshore Racing, Leamington
  • Woodbine Mohawk Park, Campbellville
  • Rideau Carleton Raceway, Ottawa
  • The Raceway at Western Fair, London
  • Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto

Quarter Horse

  • Ajax Downs, Ajax

Racing Inspections

In 2019–2020, the AGCO continued to conduct its horse racing–related inspection and investigation activities.

TABLE 17 – Compliance Services Inspections – Racing

Inspections Unit Statistics

2018–19

2019–20

Compliance activities

125

93

Due diligence activities

1,563

 1,455

Medication control activities

391

395

Regulatory activities

84

70

Rulings

Rulings are written decisions by AGCO Judges and Stewards that relate to violations of the Rules of Racing, 2018. The decisions can be appealed to the Horse Racing Appeal Panel, an independent and impartial adjudicative body – see page 48 of this Annual Report.

TABLE 18 – Rulings by Racing Officials

Breed

2018–19

2019–20

Thoroughbred

Stewards’ Rulings

175

187

Live Race Dates

173

171

Standardbred

Judges’ Rulings

541

417

Live Race Dates

717

710

Quarter Horse

Stewards’ Rulings

19

13

Live Race Dates

25

25

Notices

TABLE 19 – Number of Notices of Proposed Order or Immediate Suspension

 

2018–19

2019–20

Notice of Proposed Order

To suspend, revoke or immediately suspend a licence

30

12