The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has completed its thorough investigation into an accident, which occurred March 27, 2014 during the 12th race at Flamboro Downs racetrack.
The following is the statement that was posted on the ORC's website.
As part of its investigation, the ORC sent the two horses that died during the race for a post mortem analysis. Contrary to an earlier industry website news item, final post mortem reports indicated that both horses died from traumatic injuries sustained during the accident.
During the course of the investigation, the ORC’s Equine Accident Specialist conducted interviews of 20 individuals. Such detailed investigations are now standard practice when rare accidents of this nature occur. This is in keeping with the ORC's regulatory mandate to ensure that the health and welfare of participants and equine athletes is maintained and protected.
The investigation determined that the accident unfolded as follows:
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The direct cause of this accident was the untimely break in stride by the horse “Banana Joes Bar;”
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This break in stride did cause “Banana Joes Bar” to “stop up” or slow down abruptly, which allowed no possibility for horses in behind to avoid him;
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Two drivers were unseated from their racing bikes. Their horses then began to run loose, one in the direction of the race, the other in the opposite direction;
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ORC Judges and all Racing Officials performed proper accident safety procedures, including immediately activating the emergency red warning lights;
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The horse running the wrong way made a sudden and unanticipated change of course, resulting in a fatal collision with another horse.
Based on the investigation, no regulatory action will be taken. The ORC intends to assemble a panel of industry participants. The intent is to maintain the ORC’s high standard of accident prevention, and achieve the safest possible conditions for all participants – equine and human.
The ORC’s Equine Accident Specialist will continue to be assigned when serious accidents have occurred in races.
Rob McKinney, Deputy Director
Ontario Racing Commission
(ORC)
Any time a loose horse is
Any time a loose horse is travelling the wrong direction and or in the infield - the race should be immediately declared a no contest and all drivers are to safely pull up and exit the track. A lot of times these incidents involve injured drivers laying on the track - too dangerous to continue the race!
I agree with the statement
I agree with the statement from Mr.Robinski that the ORC Judges could have and should have declared the race a "no contest" immediately and asked the drivers to pull up their horses.I watched the race recently from Flamboro where another accident happened and thats exactly how they handled it, so they know how to do it properly. Pertaining to the race where the horses died my deepest sympathy goes out to the trainers and owners of those horses. Myself like many others who watched this couldn't understand why the drivers were tipping from out behind cover like the race was still on instead of pulling up or staying single file and then the last driver that tipped out was when the collision occurred. Would these horses still be alive today?
It was an awful tragedy what
It was an awful tragedy what happened on March 27, 2014. I was looking at entries for Flamboro that very day, to see if a particular horse was entered, and did not see the horse I was looking for. Banana Joes Bar I did recognize and Stonebridge Wish.
The next day, I saw what had happened in race 12 and saddened by the events.
I have no idea why an autopsy on two horses was needed as I know why they died due to tragic circumstances. Is that what took so long to investigate this particular race?
A no contest should be declared immediately when a horse falls regardless of horses getting lose to insure these "rare" accidents don't happen again.
As with the accident at Freehold on January 10, 2014 other weather related safety procedures should be enforced.
Too many "rare" instances to me.
Janelle Scherbik
USTA
It sure took the ORC long
It sure took the ORC long enough to draft up this type of release. Also, what steps are being taken so something like this never happens again? Wasn't that the whole point of the 'investigation'?
A 5 point summary of events
A 5 point summary of events that anyone could see...
If it were Captaintrecherous and Foiled Again that were involved...
Would the ORC be investigating itself....I think not...
We got a long way to go in this sport
The ORC Judges could have and
The ORC Judges could have and should have declared the race a "no contest" immediately and asked the drivers to pull up their horses.
I read this report and it
I read this report and it just didnt sit right with me. The end result is that the ORC intends to assemble a panel. When?
2 years ago I attended a meeting where the ORC was going to set guidelines for race conditions. This never got off the ground or was ever discussed again.
In the meantime, just last night in the post parade at Woodbine, Catalea Seelster threw Christoforu of the bike. The horse ran around free and could have collided with any number of horses. I was watching the drivers take it upon themselves to get off the track but now I am wondering are there any rules or recommendations in place to protect horses and drivers before this panel is assembled.
As an example should the Flamboro race have been called a no contest immediately by the judges and the announcer could direct traffic.
This particular issue should be dealt with swiftly. It wouldnt take long for someone at ORC to draft up a preliminary set of safety instructions and then meet to sanction it. This doesnt need Royal Assention. At least the drivers and officials would have a coordinated structure (like a firedrill) to follow now. We may never see this again (I hope not) but being prepared is good and not difficult.
Georg Leber-ICR Racing