On Wednesday, July 24, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issued a statement regarding the suspension of Standardbred trainer Richard Moreau.

The statement from the AGCO follows.

AGCO suspends Standardbred trainer Richard Moreau pending outcome of inspection of positive test for non-therapeutic drug

To safeguard the integrity of horse racing and prioritize the well-being and safety of racehorses, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has suspended the licence of Standardbred trainer, Richard Moreau, for behaviour harmful to horse racing.  

The AGCO received a Certificate of Analysis confirming the presence of the non-therapeutic drug darbepoetin alfa (DPO) from the horse Funtime Bayama, collected on June 10, 2024, as part of the Out of Competition Testing Program. DPO is a prohibited performance enhancing, non-therapeutic substance that adversely affects racehorses and the integrity of racing.  

After confirming the test results, the AGCO ordered the suspension of Richard Moreau for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of racing, pending the completion of the positive test inspection. All horses owned, wholly or in part, or trained by Moreau are ineligible to be entered or race. The rules of racing include provisions whereby horses may be transferred to the care of another trainer if approved by AGCO Race Officials and in accordance with AGCO rules 26.08 and 6.13.01. 

A licensed horse racing participant issued a Ruling under the Rules of Racing has the right to appeal the AGCO’s action to the Horse Racing Appeal Panel (HRAP) which is an independent adjudicative body mandated to hear appeals of decisions. 

 The AGCO has taken this regulatory action pursuant to the following rules: Rules of Standardbred Racing, 6.01(c)

(AGCO)