Gorman

The licensee, a thoroughbred trainer and owner, appealed a stewards' ruling that suspended him for conducting business in a dishonest manner.

The licensee had deposited a cheque belonging to a co-owner into his personal account and failed to inform her or pay the owed amount until after a stewards' hearing was called.

At the Commission hearing, the parties presented a joint submission on penalty.

The Commission accepted the joint submission, ordering a suspension for the remainder of the 2006 Fort Erie meet, a 30-day suspension at the start of the 2007 meet, and a $500 fine.

The appellants, a horse trainer and a groom, appealed a Stewards' ruling that found the trainer violated the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing by improperly transferring ownership of a horse from the owner to his son using his authorized agent privileges.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal regarding liability and the transfer of the horse back to the original owner, finding the trainer breached his duty to the owner by acting without proper authority and preferring his family's interests.

The Commission upheld the $5,000 fine but modified the trainer's suspension to run from July 1 to December 31, 2005.

The appellants appealed a Stewards Ruling.

Prior to the resumption of the hearing, one appellant served a Notice of Appeal from the Commission's earlier ruling.

The Administration moved to quash the new Notice of Appeal.

The Panel found the new Notice of Appeal was a nullity as it had no jurisdiction to entertain an appeal from its own decision.

The Panel ordered the appellant fully suspended until May 15, 2005, and reserved its decision on the main appeal, restoring the stay of penalty effective May 16, 2005.

William Philip Gracey appealed a Stewards' ruling that fined him $5,000 for refusing to bring a horse to the paddock at the appointed time, in violation of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal on liability, finding that the appellant had violated the rules.

However, the Commission allowed the appeal in part on the issue of penalty, reducing the fine to $2,000.

Windsor Raceway applied for 124 live race dates for the 2005 calendar year, following two previously deficient applications.

The Ontario Harness Horse Association opposed the reduction, arguing for a return to the 153 dates approved in 2003 and 2004.

The Commission criticized both parties for focusing on self-interest rather than the public interest.

The Commission ultimately approved a schedule resulting in 131 live dates and 1,965 live racing opportunities, emphasizing the need to resume racing and consider the broader public interest.

The applicant requested a hearing into the Director's Notice of Proposed Order to refuse his application to renew his licence as a Clocker.

During the hearing, the applicant withdrew his request.

The Director subsequently ordered that the application be refused.

The Commission also heard evidence that the applicant's summonsed witnesses were informed they would not be paid attendance money as required by the Statutory Powers Procedure Act.

The Commission directed that if the applicant ever reapplies for a licence after the minimum two-year prohibition period, his licence will remain indefinitely suspended until he pays the witness attendance money owed in full.