Lydia Brooks

Two horse trainers appealed their 15-day suspensions and $1,000 fines after their horses tested positive for the Class IV drug ketoprofen following race victories.

The trainers argued they exercised due diligence by relying on veterinary advice and administering the drug outside the 48-hour guideline.

The Ontario Racing Commission denied the appeals, finding the trainers failed to provide clear, cogent, and compelling evidence to establish due diligence on a balance of probabilities, as expert evidence indicated the drug was likely administered within 48 hours.

However, considering their clean records and mitigating factors, the Commission varied the penalty by staying 10 days of each suspension while maintaining the $1,000 fines.