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 – MAY 14, 2026
SB HRAP 05017 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 BY MARK GODDARD
OF STANDARDBRED RULING NUMBER 3634188
Date of Issue:
May 14, 2026
Horse Racing Appeal Panel (Panel):
Stanley Sadinsky, K.C., Chair
Appellant:
Mark Goddard
Decision:
The Panel grants the stay, conditional upon the terms as set out below.
WHEREAS Mark Goddard (“GODDARD”) is licensed with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“Commission”) as a Trainer, Licence Number 112879;
AND WHEREAS on February 12, 2026, GODDARD was the trainer of the horse, “MACH STEADY” that finished 4th in the 7th race at Flamboro Downs;
AND WHEREAS MACH STEADY provided a blood sample identified by unique test tag number 332604313 and was in the EIPH program;
On February 14, 2026, the AGCO received a Certificate of TCO2 Analysis #00357 from Racing Forensics Inc. of Test Tag number 332604313, confirming total carbon dioxide (“TCO2”) at a concentration of 39.8 mmol/L;
AND WHEREAS GODDARD has 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 WHEREAS in accordance with Rules 4.02(i), 6.04, and 22.38.06 of the Rules and Policy Directive No. 1-2018, GODDARD is suspended for a period of 90 days to be served from April 17, 2026 to July 15, 2026, inclusive. GODDARD is also hereby issued a monetary penalty of five thousand dollars ($5000.00);
AND WHEREAS in accordance with Rule 6.01(a) of the Rules, GODDARD is prohibited from accessing association grounds, including the “Winner’s Circle”, with the exception of the grandstand, while their licence is suspended;
AND WHEREAS GODDARD is required to complete the AGCO Equine Medication Use and Awareness Program before reinstatement;
AND WHEREAS all horses owned in whole or in part by GODDARD are not eligible to race during the above-noted suspension period, in accordance with Rule 6.13.01 of the Rules and any horses trained by GODDARD 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 GODDARD 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 AGCO rules 9.13 and 18.08.01, “MACH STEADY” has been 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 this ruling and the order of finish shall be revised as set out in Standardbred Ruling 3634188;
AND WHEREAS on April 14, 2026, GODDARD 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 being scheduled within 60 calendar days of this Decision;
TAKE NOTICE that the Panel grants the motion for a stay, conditional upon the terms set out above.
DATED on this 14th day of May, 2026.
Stanley Sadinsky, K.C., Chair
Horse Racing Appeal Panel