May 3, 2021
On June 1, 2021, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will implement the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency’s (CPMA) decision to lower the thresholds for total carbon dioxide (TCO2).
The AGCO will lower the thresholds for TCO2 from 37mmol/L to 36mmol/L, and from 39mmol/L to 38mmol/L for horses registered in the Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) program.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) occurs naturally in the blood of horses at varying concentrations. This natural level can be anywhere from 26/27mmol/l to 31/32mmol/l.
An elevated TCO2 level is an indicator of the use of alkalizing agents, which may compromise the welfare of the horse when provided in excess, and the integrity of racing by artificially enhancing a horse’s performance.
Lowering thresholds will help to enhance horse welfare, improve public perception, and uphold the integrity in racing.
In addition to lowering thresholds, the AGCO is updating the impacted Rules to enhance the effectiveness of the TCO2 program and clarify that when a sample is not collected, the horse may be scratched at the discretion of the Racing Officials.
The Rules will also be updated to reflect the ban on race day medication, which prohibits the administration of medications, drugs and substances to any horse starting 24 hours prior to the post time of the first race of the day they are scheduled to race.
Revisions to rules related to the above are outlined below.
Rules of Thoroughbred Racing:
37.01 An excess level of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in a race horse is deemed to be adverse to the best interests of horse racing, and adverse to the best interests of the horse in that such condition alters its normal physiological state. Accordingly, a person designated by an approved TCO2 laboratory may, subject to the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, obtain venous blood samples from the jugular vein of a horse for the purpose of the testing of said samples by that laboratory for TCO2 levels as outlined in Rule 37.06. Where the TCO2 level, based upon such testing equals or exceeds the following levels, the Stewards or Administration shall order the relief authorized pursuant to Rule 37.07:
- Thirty-six (36)
Thirty-seven (37)or more millimoles per litre of blood for horses not competing on furosemide; or - Thirty-eight (38)
Thirty-nine (39)or more millimoles per litre for those horses competing on furosemide.
37.06 Testing Procedures
All horses that race are eligible to be selected by the Stewards for blood gas testing. The entry of a horse shall constitute permission for a person designated by the approved TC02 laboratory to obtain blood samples. To the extent that it is feasible, the owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse will be given notice that the horse is to be tested and may shall be present when the blood sample is taken. Refusal by an owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse to attend the taking of the sample will not affect the validity of the test. Any owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse who refuses or fails to permit the taking of a sample from a horse shall have all applicable horses scratched by the Stewards or Administration. Such refusal shall be deemed an admission of a violation of Rule 37.01 empowering the Stewards or Administration to take any necessary action in accordance with the Rules. It shall be the responsibility of the trainer of a horse selected for TCO2 post-race testing to see that the horse is taken directly to the secured area designated by the Race Officials testing barn or retention area immediately after being notified of the horse’s selection for testing. Where a sample is not collected, the horse may be scratched at the discretion of the Racing Officials.
15.16 In cases where a horse has bled during or shortly after a race or a workout to the knowledge of a veterinarian licensed by the Commission, the horse may be pre-race medicated, provided that the administration is of a substance which is a coagulant or other median recognized as a treatment to stop bleeding, and is also not included in the group of prohibited medications under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations under the Criminal Code (Canada). The administration of the medication must be done by a licensed veterinarian who shall report all details in writing to a Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian who shall pass such report to the Stewards for their approval before the horse can start.
…
Rules of Standardbred Racing:
22.38 An excess level of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in a race horse is deemed to be adverse to the best interests of harness racing, and adverse to the best interests of the horse in that such condition alters its normal physiological state. Accordingly, a person designated by an approved TCO2 laboratory may, subject to the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, obtain venous blood samples from the jugular vein of a horse for the purpose of the testing of said samples by that laboratory for TCO2 levels as outlined in Rule 22.38.05. Where the TCO2 level, based upon such testing, equals or exceeds the following levels, the Judges or Administration shall order the relief authorized pursuant to Rule 22.38.06:
- Thirty-six (36)
Thirty-seven (37)or more millimoles per litre of blood for horses not competing on Furosemide; or - Thirty-eight (38)
Thirty-nine (39)or more millimoles per litre for those horses competing on furosemide at a track where the EIPH Program is offered.
22.38.05 All horses that race are eligible to be selected by the Judges for blood gas testing. The entry of a horse shall constitute permission for a person designated by the approved TCO2 laboratory to obtain blood samples. To the extent that it is feasible, the owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse will be given notice that the horse is to be tested and may shall be present when the blood sample is taken. Refusal by an owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse to attend the taking of the sample will not affect the validity of the test. Any owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse who refuses or fails to permit the taking of a sample from a horse shall have all applicable horses scratched by the Judges or Administration. Such refusal shall be deemed an admission of a violation of Rule 22.38 empowering the Judges or Administration to take any necessary action in accordance with the Rules. It shall be the responsibility of the trainer of a horse selected for TCO2 post-race testing to see that the horse is taken directly to the secured area designated by the Race Officials testing barn or retention area immediately after being notified of the horse’s selection for testing. Where a sample is not collected, the horse may be scratched at the discretion of the Racing Officials.
8.07 In any case where a horse has visibly bled during a race or a workout to the knowledge of one of the Commission Veterinarians or Official Veterinarians, the horse may be pre-race medicated, provided that the administration is of a substance which is a coagulant or other medicament recognized as a treatment to stop bleeding, and is also not included in the group of prohibited drugs under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations under the Criminal Code (Canada). The administration of the medication must be done by a licensed veterinarian who shall report all details in writing to the Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian who shall pass such report to the Judges for approval before the horse can start.
Helpful Resources
Rules of Racing and Directives
Info Bulletin: Ban on Race Day Medication
For more information about on-duty Race Officials can be found through the AGCO Race Day Contact List