Horse Racing Appeal Panel
90 Sheppard Avenue East
Suite 300
Toronto ON M2N 0A4
Comité d’appel des courses de chevaux
90, avenue Sheppard Est
Bureau 300
Toronto ON M2N 0A4
HORSE RACING APPEAL PANEL
TORONTO, ONTARIO – APRIL 14, 2026
SB HRAP 05010 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 DANIEL SARAFIAN OF
STANDARDBRED RULING NUMBER 3540408
April 14, 2026
Horse Racing Appeal Panel (Panel):
Nicolle Pace, Member
Appellant:
Daniel Sarafian
Registrar’s Representative:
Kelly Counsell
Decision:
The Panel dismisses the appeal for the reasons set out below.
WHEREAS Daniel Sarafian (“SARAFIAN”) is licensed with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“Commission”) as an Owner, Licence Number W89968;
AND WHEREAS following Race 3 at Mohawk Park on January 16, 2026, the Judges posted the Inquiry sign and reviewed racing, considering a possible pylon violation and interference in the homestretch and upon reviewing the film and speaking to Driver Travis Henry, deemed there was no interference caused by the #3 horse, “JOB HUNTER” on the #6 horse, “ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS”;
AND WHEREAS on January 20, 2026, SARAFIAN filed a Notice of Appeal;
AND WHEREAS on March 17, 2026, the Panel convened to hear the appeal, reserving its decision;
TAKE NOTICE that the Panel dismisses the appeal for the reasons set out below.
The Panel’s Reasons for Decision are attached to this Notice.
DATED on this 14^th^ day of April, 2026.
Nicolle Pace, Member
Horse Racing Appeal Panel
REASONS FOR DECISION – DANIEL SARAFIAN
On March 17, 2026, the Horse Racing Appeal Panel convened to hear the appeal of Standardbred Ruling 3540408, dated January 23, 2026 which stated:
Following the race, the Judges did post the “Inquiry” sign and reviewed racing, considering a possible pylon violation and if there was any interference in the homestretch of race #3 at Mohawk Park on January 16, 2026. After reviewing the film and speaking to Driver Travis Henry, the Judges deemed there was no interference caused by #3 “JOB HUNTER” on #6 ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS.” AGCO Rule #22.09.
The AGCO was represented by Ms. Kelly Counsell, who presented one witness, Mr. John Dorion. The Appellant, Mr. Daniel Sarafian, the owner of ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS, testified on his own behalf.
This appeal concerns an incident in the stretch of race number 3 at Mohawk Park on January 16, 2026, involving the #3 horse, JOB HUNTER and the #6 horse ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS. The issue is whether the inward movement of JOB HUNTER amounted to interference under the Rules of Standardbred Racing and if so, whether it affected the outcome of the race such that the order of finish should be changed.
The applicable rule 22.05.01, prohibits a driver from moving in such a manner that forces another horse to shorten its stride, change course, or otherwise impedes its progress. Even where a violation is established, a placing is only warranted if the interference has a material effect on the outcome of the race.
Mr. John Dorion, a Senior Race Official with the AGCO, is ROAP-certified in both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing. He testified that he has over 40 years of experience in the industry in various roles. Mr. Dorion testified that, after reviewing the race video from multiple camera angles, JOB HUNTER did bear inward in the stretch and that ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS contacted at least one pylon. Mr. Dorion also testified, and the race video demonstrated, that ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS did not shorten its stride, lose momentum, or break its gait. The driver continued to urge the horse throughout the stretch. Mr. Dorion’s evidence was that ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS’ momentum had already levelled off prior to the incident. Based on these observations, the race officials determined that the incident did not warrant a placing and left the final order of finish unchanged.
The owner of ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS, Mr. Sarafian, provided his evidence in a straightforward, credible and sincere manner. He is an experienced participant in the sport and clearly believes that his horse was forced into the pylons, lost momentum as a result, and would have won the race but for the actions of JOB HUNTER. I accept his evidence was honestly given and reflects his genuine view of what occurred.
However, based on the objective evidence of the race video, the evidence does not demonstrate that the inward movement of JOB HUNTER had any measurable effect on ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS. There is no indication that the horse’s stride shortened, no loss of momentum (such as checking or pulling up by the driver) and the horse did not alter its course. There was no break in the gait of the horse and no visible disruption to the horse’s progress.
While the owner submits that the incident cost his horse the race, that conclusion is not supported by the evidence. There is an insufficient basis to find that the outcome of the race was affected.
In these circumstances, I am not satisfied that the conduct of JOB HUNTER meets the threshold for interference under Rule 22.05.01. Even if the inward movement could be characterized as minor or a technical breach, I am not satisfied that it had any material impact on the result.
I find that Ruling 3540408 should be upheld and the order of finish remains unchanged.
Thank you to the parties for their able submissions and thank you to the Secretariat for their assistance during the hearing.