In a notice to the industry dated today, the Ontario Racing Commission has announced that trainer Bill Elliott has been suspended after one of his horses, Michelles Power, tested positive for darbepoetin-alfa (DPO) in August 2007.

The contents of the ORC notice to the industry is listed below.

William Elliott suspended - DPO found in horse

ORC medication control efforts and an expanding program of out-of-competition testing have resulted in the immediate suspension of the licence of owner/driver/trainer William Elliott of Caledonia, Ontario.

Tests confirmed the presence of darbepoetin-alfa in blood samples taken on August 29, 2007 from a horse trained by Mr. Elliott. As a result of this serious violation, the Director considered it necessary in the public interest to take action, and ordered the immediate suspension of the licence of William Elliott.

As a result of this positive test received in August 2007, the horse MICHELLES POWER has been declared ineligible to race in Ontario until such time as this horse tests negative for the substance. Under new rules which came into effect January 31, 2008, a horse which receives a positive test for Class I, II, III, TCO2, or a substance determined to be non-therapeutic will be declared ineligible to race in Ontario for a period of 90 days.

A further investigation of Mr. Elliott is continuing and the Director may take additional action in this matter.

Darbepoetin-alfa (DPO) is classed as a potent long-lasting form of Erythropeietin (EPO). Evidence presented at ORC hearings over the past months have confirmed that EPO/DPO has no legitimate use for a horse that is racing. It not only places the horse at risk, it imperils the future of the horse racing industry.

The ORC recognizes that the health and well being of the horse is of paramount concern to the horse racing community, and that by far the majority of those licensed in the industry conducts their business with professionalism and abide by the rules. Through its support of the industry-funded Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force, that community is clearly behind the efforts of the ORC to reinforce the message that the acquisition, possession and administration of illegal and non-therapeutic drugs will not be tolerated.

John L. Blakney
Executive Director