from the Ontario Racing Commission

Toronto, ON — On Oct. 27, 2014, the Ontario Racing Commission advised the racing industry that new rules had been approved directing all Standardbred racetracks to upgrade their emergency warning light systems. The changes/upgrades must include a siren and must be implemented by Jan. 1, 2015.

The rule change was a recommendation following an investigation and report by the ORC’s Equine Accident Specialist into an incident which occurred at Flamboro Downs.

The ORC held a meeting to review enhanced race protocols with a number of racetrack operators, drivers, veterinarians and horsepeople, as well as a number of ORC judges and investigators.

Under the new and revised rules, when an emergency situation occurs on track, the judges will have the authority and ability to stop the race and communicate this to the drivers through the use of both the warning lights and the siren.