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 10, 2026

SB HRAP 05009 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 A REQUEST FOR A STAY IN THE APPEAL OF

RENE BOURASSA OF STANDARDBRED RULING NUMBER 3547463

Date of Issue:

April 10, 2026

Horse Racing Appeal Panel (Panel):

Stanley Sadinsky, K.C., Chair

Appellant:

Rene Bourassa

Decision:

The Panel grants the request for a stay, conditional upon the terms as set out below.

WHEREAS Rene Bourassa (“BOURASSA”) is licensed with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”) as an Owner/Trainer, Licence Number HPE2045;

WHEREAS on June 26, 2025, BOURASSA was the trainer of record for the horse, ROLL EM that finished 1st in Race 12 at Woodbine Mohawk Park on October 10, 2025;

AND WHEREAS the horse provided a blood sample identified by unique test tag number 532528323 and was in the EIPH program;

AND WHEREAS on October 15, 2025, the AGCO received a Certificate of TCO2 Analysis #00354 from Racing Forensics Inc. of Test Tag number 532528323, confirming total carbon dioxide (“TCO2”) at a concentration of 39.1 mmol/L;

AND WHEREAS BOURASSA violated Rules 22.38(b), 26.02.01, 26.02.02, and 26.02.03(d) of the Rules of Standardbred Racing (the “Rules”) and in accordance with Rules 4.02(i), 6.04, and 22.38.06 of the Rules and Policy Directive No. 1-2018, BOURASSA is suspended for a period of 90 days to be served from April 3, 2026 to July 1, 2026, inclusive and shall pay a monetary penalty of five thousand dollars ($5000.00);

AND WHEREAS in accordance with Rule 6.01(a) of the Rules, BOURASSA is prohibited from accessing association grounds, including the “Winner’s Circle”, with the exception of the grandstand, while their licence is suspended;

AND WHEREAS BOURASSA is required to complete the AGCO Equine Medication Use and Awareness Program before reinstatement and that all horses owned in whole or in part by BOURASSA are not eligible to race during the above-noted suspension period, in accordance with Rule 6.13.01 of the Rules. Any horses trained by BOURASSA are ineligible to race but may,

with the consent of the AGCO Race Officials, be released to another trainer in good standing or sold, in accordance with rule 26.08 of the Rules and Policy Directive No. 2-2008;

AND WHEREAS any subsequent equine drug or TCO2 violation(s) by BOURASSA contrary to the Rules may result in the imposition of further monetary penalties, conditions, and/or suspensions and/or revocation of licence;

AND WHEREAS in accordance with Rules 9.13 and 18.08.01, ROLL EM was declared disqualified and all purse monies, driver fees and trainer’s fees are ordered returned to the Association for redistribution within fifteen (15) days of Standardbred ruling 3547463;

AND WHEREAS in accordance with Rule 6.14, any horses currently trained by BOURASSA must have valid trainer transfers approved prior to competing in Ontario during the period of the suspension and the order of finish shall be revised as set out in Standardbred Ruling 3547463;

AND WHEREAS on April 7, 2026, BOURASSA 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 30 calendar days from the date of this Order;

TAKE NOTICE that the Panel grants the motion for a stay, conditional upon the terms set out above.

DATED on this 10th day of April, 2026.

Stanley Sadinsky, K.C., Chair

Horse Racing Appeal Panel