This afternoon, the Ontario Racing Commission sent out a release regarding Ken Hornick, outlining some of the substances involved in the case and quotes from ORC deputy director Rob McKinney.
The release states that the ORC's industry-funded Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force found illegal drugs at Hornick's residence in December, 2007. Several months of follow-up investigations, drug analysis and testing confirmed the substances to include steroids, ergolid mesylates, and ethamsylate.
The ORC refers to ergoloid mesylates as "a drug used to treat problems that may be due to changes in the brain from Alzheimer's disease," and ethamsylate as a drug "used to arrest or reduce hemorrhaging." The release also states that both are human drugs.
"The horse racing industry has sent a clear message: it will not tolerate those who engage in illegal activity," said McKinney. "Regrettably, some few individuals, motivated by greed and a mistaken belief they can escape justice, not only break the Rules of Racing but cause harm to the horse and tarnish the reputation of thousands of hard working people who play by the rules every day.
"Through its support of the Task Force, that community wants to work together to solve and prevent those problems, to root out, expose and punish these individuals."
The release states that task force members are continuing their investigation into the activities of Hornick and any known associates in racing. Further regulatory action may be taken.
Click here to read the ORC release in its entirety.
(With files from the ORC)