You hear an article by Canadian Thororbred.com. Agco, Woodbine Setting After examining horse bans by: AGCO | .
Have the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and Woodbine Entertainment a comparison agreement concluded After an AGCO examination of a number of earnest incidents in autumn 2024. Woodbine does not deny the AGCO results for the purposes of the settlement, but reserves the other rights.
The AGCO is committed to ensuring that a protected horse race runs in Ontario. In accordance with this commitment, Woodbine has agreed to a number of enforceable measures that aim to improve the maintenance practices of the route and to protect the well -being of the racing horses competing in Woodbine.
Between October 28 and December 15, 2024, 19 thoroughbred horses suffered wall surface during the race and training on Woodbine's all-weather wall surface. Ten of these injuries led to euthanasia. A particularly worrying day occurred on November 9, as six breakdowns – including three, which needed euthanasia – about a single training and race day.
The The examination of AGCO Died that Woodbine's 2024 Track expectation practices inadequate and was not correct with the manufacturers' guidelines. The identified critical topics included:
- Inferior care practices and irregular surface depth measurements;
- Subjected and inexperienced maintenance staff;
- Missing maintenance protocols are missing;
- Inappropriately well -groomed route equipment.
The The Tapeta surface is recognized as one of the safest racing areas in of the industry when it is properly maintained and has an exemplary security file. Woodbine historically maintained one of the strongest security record among North American race tracks. The measures now carried out should ensure that this standard is reinforced.
In response to the results mentioned above and as part of the settlement, Woodbine Entertainment agreed to implement the following measures:
- Independent supervision: Stay two internationally recognized track security experts for two years for two years to carry out quarterly security reviews of the Tapeta interface. These reports are shared with Woodbine and AGCO.
- Improvements of governance: Set up a novel track interface committee, including representatives of Woodbine, the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Jockey's Benefit Association of Canada (JBAC) to monitor the safety of the route and receive recommendations for improvements throughout the season.
- Supervision at board level: Woodbine Entertainment's board of directors to authorize that his Governance and Compliance Committee provides supervision for the lane surface committee.
The non -compliance with these measures by Woodbine leads to regulatory measures, which are taken by AGCO, including a fine of 200,000 US dollars.
As part of the agreement, Woodbine Entertainment will also provide a donation of 200,000 US dollars to support Equine Aftercare and well -being in Ontario with the same contributions to the Longrun Full Blood Pension Society and the Allianz of thoroughbred aftercare.
Parallel to the AGCO-oriented measures ,, Woodbine Entertainment has already undertaken Necessary reforms and investments to improve the safety of the route, including:
- Comprehensive training of his racing area team with tapeta footings and other experts;
- Recruitment of a full-time specialist for route nurse with decades of international experience;
- Acquisition of advanced maintenance devices, including breeders, conditioners and test tools;
- Installation of an integrated racetrack tester to monitor moisture, temperature and cushion depth
- Renovation of the route near the five and a half furlong marker to improve consistency and drainage;
- Updated maintenance protocols and clarified team responsibility to ensure consistent and responsible track management.
In addition the AGCO will go forward With broader improvements in the racing rules, including:
- Increased veterinary supervision;
- Increased testing of the horses that return from the list of the vet;
- Recent guidelines on racing frequency and the utilize of certain therapeutic treatments.
These reforms take an critical step forward and lay the basis for a safer and more sustainable future for sport.
