Horse Racing Appeal Panel
10 Carlson Court Suite 400 Toronto ON M9W 6A2
Comité d’appel des courses de chevaux
10 Carlson Court Bureau 400 Toronto ON M9W 6A2
HORSE RACING APPEAL PANEL
TORONTO, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 27, 2026
TB HRAP 06006 2026
NOTICE OF DECISION
IN THE MATTER OF THE HORSE RACING LICENCE ACT, S.O. 2015 C. 38 Sched. 9;
AND IN THE MATTER OF AN APPEAL BY WILLIAM ARMATA OF
THOROUGHBRED RULING NUMBER 3455417
Date of Issue:
February 27, 2026
Horse Racing Appeal Panel (Panel):
Stanley Sadinsky, K.C., Chair
Appellant:
William Armata
Decision:
The Panel grants the extension of a stay, conditional upon the terms as set out below.
WHEREAS William Armata (“ARMATA”) is licensed with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”) as a Trainer, Licence Number HP116099;
WHEREAS on June 26, 2025, ARMATA was the trainer of record for the horse, JAMIESTA that finished 3rd in Race 7 at Woodbine Racetrack;
WHEREAS JAMIESTA provided a post-race urine sample for which on July 11, 2025, the AGCO was advised of a positive test for the Class 1 substance oxymorphone in the urine sample with test tag no. 73 25177 345;
WHEREAS ARMATA is found to have violated Rules 15.06.01(a)(b) and 15.06.03(c) of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing (“the RULES”) and in accordance with Rules 24.01 and 24.02 of the RULES and Policy Directive 1-2018, is fully suspended for a period of one (1) year, to be served from January 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027, inclusive;
AND WHEREAS ARMATA is also issued a monetary penalty of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), payable at the termination of the suspension;
AND WHERAS ARMATA is required to complete the AGCO Equine Medication Use and Awareness Program prior to reinstatement;
AND WHEREAS the suspension of ARMATA is effective for horses racing in the Province of Ontario and in accordance with Rule 16.13(a) of the Rules, during the suspension ARMATA is prohibited from accessing any Association grounds, including the Winners Circle, with the exception of the grandstand, and any horses currently trained by ARMATA that are to be entered to race during the suspension, must be transferred to another trainer in good standing and approved by the Stewards. Any horses owned by ARMATA that he wishes to race during his suspension must be sold and the sale is to be approved by the Stewards;
AND WHEREAS in accordance with Rule 15.04.03 of the Rules, the horse JAMIESTA is unplaced from the Race 7 at Woodbine Racetrack on June 26, 2025, for all purposes with the exception of pari-mutuel wagering and all purse monies earned by JAMIESTA must be returned with a revised order of finish for Race 7 at Woodbine Racetrack on June 26, 2025 set out in Thoroughbred Ruling 3455417;
TAKE NOTICE that additional equine drug violations by ARMATA contrary to the Rules may result in further monetary penalties, conditions, suspensions and/or revocation of licence;
AND WHEREAS on January 12, 2026, ARMATA filed a Notice of Appeal and a Notice of Motion requesting a stay with the Panel;
AND WHEREAS the Registrar consented to the request for a stay, conditional upon the appeal hearing being scheduled for no later than April 17, 2026.
AND WHEREAS on January 27, 2026, the Panel granted the motion for a stay, conditional upon the hearing being scheduled for no later than April 17, 2026;
AND WHEREAS ON February 10, 2026, counsel for the Appellant advised that he was no longer available for the appeal to proceed on a date no later than April 17, 2026;
AND WHEREAS on February 13, 2026, the Registrar consented to the extension of the stay, conditional upon the hearing proceeding on a date in May;
TAKE NOTICE THAT the Panel grants the extension of the stay, conditional upon the hearing proceeding on a date in the month of May 2026;
DATED on this 27th day of February, 2026.
Stanley Sadinsky, K.C., Chair
Horse Racing Appeal Panel