from the Ontario Racing Commission

Toronto, ON — On January 25, 2007, the Director of the Ontario Racing Commission ordered the immediate suspension of the license of Standardbred owner/driver/trainer/authorized agent Patrick Hudon of Rockwood, Ontario. As well, a proposed order has been issued to suspend his license for a period of 10 years and ordered a C$100,000 fine for acquisition, possession and use of drugs. An investigation has satisfied the Director that Patrick Hudon has used the prohibited substance Aranesp in race horses.

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) and other members of the horse racing community recognize that by far the majority of the industry conducts its business professionally – by the rules, and with the utmost care for the horse. While the recent severe penalties and substantial fines have only been levied on a very few individuals (Patrick Hudon is the fifth person), it is important to recognize that these individuals have not only hurt themselves but countless more – families, friends, bettors, those who work for these suspended individuals, care for their horses, and provide products and services.

Clearly, the financial and emotional costs of these individual actions are keenly felt by the entire horse racing community. And through their moral and financial support of the goals of medication control and the work of the Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force, the racing community is saying to these and other soon to be identified individuals: Stop what you are doing. We want the competition to be fair, equitable and by the rules.

Severe sanctions will continue to reinforce the message that the acquisition, possession and administration of illegal and non-therapeutic drugs will not be tolerated by the ORC and the horse racing community. The vigilant commitment to a program of out of competition testing based on change of performance and reasonable cause will continue, supported by new advancements in testing technology.

The ORC has a rule prohibiting the possession and use of EPO. The ORC reminded all licensees in April of 2006 that severe penalties would be imposed on anyone found to have acquired, is in possession of, or administered EPO (such as Aranesp) to a horse.

While originally developed to treat people suffering from anemia associated with chronic renal failure, Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) is classed as a potent form of EPO and poses a very serious danger to the health and welfare of a horse.

The ORC is doing its part to end the practice of the use of illegal and non-therapeutic drugs by these few individuals. Now, more and more, the members of the horse racing community are doing their part, too. They realize the reputation of horse racing in Ontario and the financial stability of the industry are on the line, and that the confidence of racing participants, the wagering public and the public at large is at stake. It is hoped that beyond these sanctions within the Rules of Racing and the law, the horse racing community’s groundswell of support will ensure that all competition is fair, equitable and by the rules.