Horse Racing News

Thumbnail for Pyrite Mountain Scales New Heights in Wando

Pyrite Mountain Scales New Heights in Wando

Pyrite Mountain, ridden by Luis Contreras for trainer Mark Frostad, announced his Queen’s Plate intentions by outbattling John Oxley’s Uncaptured in the $100,000 Wando Stakes Sunday at Woodbine. Sent postward the 7-2 second choice behind 2-5 Uncaptured, Canada`s Horse of the Year in 2012 for trainer Mark Casse, Pyrite Mountain was content to lag behind […]
Thumbnail for ORC Reminds Horse Owners to Take Steps to Prevent Infectious Disease

ORC Reminds Horse Owners to Take Steps to Prevent Infectious Disease

As reported on April 23rd, a horse in Wellington County tested positive for Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1). The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has determined that this case did not involve a racehorse. However, they are still urging owners to take precautions against the spread of disease and to […]
Thumbnail for Balzac Racetrack Entertainment Centre Update

Balzac Racetrack Entertainment Centre Update

Alberta racing fans have been eagerly awaiting news on the development of the Balzac Racetrack Entertainment Centre. Recently, United Horsemen of Alberta (UHA) president Darcy Marler provided an encouraging update to the industry. At the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association’s annual general meeting in March, Marler announced that funding for the project has now been secured. […]
Thumbnail for British Horseracing Authority Investigates Another Trainer

British Horseracing Authority Investigates Another Trainer

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that Newmarket-based trainer Gerard Butler is under investigation following positive tests for a banned substance in February. Butler told the Independent that, in what he described as an “unpardonable misjudgement”, four of his horses had been treated with Sungate, a joint treatment which contains a banned substance, on […]
Thumbnail for British Horseracing Authority Explains Al Zarooni Verdict

British Horseracing Authority Explains Al Zarooni Verdict

Suspended trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was guilty of a “widespread systematic misuse of illegal substances”, according to the British Horseracing Authority. Newmarket-based Al Zarooni was banned for eight years last Thursday after he admitted administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in his care. The BHA confirmed the 37-year-old trainer, who was at the helm of […]
Thumbnail for 2013 Thoroughbred Improvement Program Details Released

2013 Thoroughbred Improvement Program Details Released

As the 2013 racing season gets underway, the details of the 2013 Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) have been released by the Program Administrator of the Horse Improvement Program. Cooperatively developed with input from the Thoroughbred industry, the 2013 Program provides incentives to breed and own horses in Ontario, though represents a 25% decline from 2012. […]
Thumbnail for A Hat Trick for Essence Hit Man in Jacques Cartier

A Hat Trick for Essence Hit Man in Jacques Cartier

Essence Hit Man won the $169,200 Jacques Cartier Stakes for the third year in a row with a powerful front-running performance on Saturday, at Woodbine. Trained by Sylvain Pion and ridden by Jesse Campbell for owners A&G Racing Stable, Essence Hit Man, racing without his customary blinkers, was relaxed out of the gate notching a […]
Thumbnail for Godolphin Trainer Banned from Racing for Eight Years

Godolphin Trainer Banned from Racing for Eight Years

Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni has been banned from racing for eight years by the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority, after 11 horses in his care tested positive for two banned anabolic steroids. Reports indicate that Al Zarooni instructed an unknowing veterinary assistant to administer ethylestranol to seven horses and stanozolol to four […]
Thumbnail for Confirmed Case of EHM in Wellington County

Confirmed Case of EHM in Wellington County

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) has been notified of a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1), in Wellington County. A blood sample from a horse with severe neurological signs tested positive for EHV-1 neuropathogenic pathotype in early April. The horse was euthanized. After discussion […]
Thumbnail for Honouring Windfields Farm

Honouring Windfields Farm

A new group has been formed keep the public up to date on any developments linked to the former Windfields Farm land in Oshawa, Ontario
Thumbnail for Thoroughbred Racing Begins Saturday at Woodbine

Thoroughbred Racing Begins Saturday at Woodbine

The 2013 live Thoroughbred racing season begins Saturday at Woodbine, the first of 133 programs slated for the year. A total of 87 horses were entered Wednesday for the Opening Day 10-race card, which begins at 1:00 p.m., highlighted by the featured $150,000 Star Shoot Stakes, at six furlongs for three-year-old fillies at 4:36 pm. […]
Thumbnail for Horse Racing Industry to Rally at Toronto’s City Hall April 15th

Horse Racing Industry to Rally at Toronto’s City Hall April 15th

After a month of delays, City manager Joe Pennachetti’s long-awaited report on the pros and cons of a Toronto casino were released Monday. While much of the report focuses on the downtown integrated casino resort in Gaming Zone C1, the report does support an expansion at Woodbine Racetrack as part of Gaming Zone C2 with […]
Thumbnail for OHRIA Asks Premier Wynne to Pause OLG’s Modernization Strategy

OHRIA Asks Premier Wynne to Pause OLG’s Modernization Strategy

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is calling on Premier Kathleen Wynne to pause the OLG’s modernization process until after the Auditor General releases his report on the decisions surrounding the OLG modernization plan. Today, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts voted to ask the Auditor General to investigate the OLG’s process in determining […]
Thumbnail for USDA to Increase Species Testing

USDA to Increase Species Testing

In response to the European horse meat scandal, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced that they will be ramping up species sampling and testing. Inspectors will increase testing of raw and ready-to-eat meat products coming to the country from Iceland, Ireland, Poland, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. All tests of imported […]
Thumbnail for California Ban Lifted on Purina Products

California Ban Lifted on Purina Products

The Daily Racing Forum has reported that the California Horse Racing Board has lifted a ban on the use of feed products made by Purina Mills at its Turlock, California plant. The ban was instituted last month after the company’s products resulted in 48 positive tests for the banned medication zilpaterol, which is used to […]