The Ontario Racing Commission today released its ruling, dated September 14, 2010, in regard to the appeal of Barrie Murray and Bradley Barr
.
Murray is licensed by the ORC as a driver/trainer/owner, while Barr is licensed as a groom/owner.
On May 24, 2009, Flanagan Speed, a horse for which Barr was the registered owner and Murray the registered trainer, was entered in the ninth race at Rideau Carleton Racetrack. During the race, the horse was pulled up by its driver and did not finish. On the way home from the racetrack, Flanagan Speed was found dead in the trailer by Barr.
An investigation into Flanagan Speed’s death indicated high levels of Reserpine, a Class II prohibited drug, in the horse’s blood. On this basis, the director issued Notices of Proposed Orders to suspend the licenses of both Murray and Barr for three years.
Murray and Barr appealed the Notices of Proposed Orders.
On September 14, 2010, an ORC panel consisting of vice-chair James Donnelly, commissioner John Macdonald and commissioner David Gorman was convened to hear the appeals.
Angela Holland appeared as counsel for the administration, Gerry White appeared as counsel for both Murray and Barr, and Murray and Barr attended in person.
Upon consent of Murray and Barr and the administration, the appeals were heard together.
Upon hearing the testimony of investigator Charles Beirnes, Dr. Lynne Blackburn, Dr. Mike Weber, Dr. Bruce Duncan, Murray and Barr, upon reviewing the exhibits filed and upon hearing the submissions of counsel for the administration and counsel for Murray and Barr, the panel dismissed Murray’s appeal but varied the penalty and allowed Barr’s appeal.
Murray’s penalty was varied as follows:
- i. Murray is suspended for one year, October 26, 2010 – October 25, 2011; and
- ii. Murray is fined $5,000.
The panel’s reasons for decision can be read in the official ORC ruling.
(With files from the ORC)
Barrie Murray has been in
Barrie Murray has been in the harness racing business for over 40 years. Its has been his life long passion. He is a man of UNQUESTIONED CHARACTER by anyone whom has had the distinct honour of knowing him! I personally dont believe that he had anything to do with the unfortunate death of Flanagan Speed. Did the horse not just come to his barn days before??? Is it possible that there is more to this story??? Sometimes the court of appeal even make mistakes.
James Barry
Electric Stable
What a horrible way to
What a horrible way to die.my hat is off to the driver who had the good sense to stop the horse from further pain....
Hey--it's only a horse.
Hey--it's only a horse. They're a dime a dozen---all said facetiously.
The ORC has let the equine industry down once again. I hope that anyone who reads this and is as disgusted as I am will write to the ORC as well as posting their comments here and anywhere else that it might--just might--make a wee bit of difference to the next bloody idiot who puts something illegal into an innocent horse in the name of "sport". Sadly, I doubt it.
Unfortunately terry u are
Unfortunately terry u are right and it happens across the country what we need is one regulatory body across the country that will impose fines and suspensions based on the purse. What really gets me is that there are few comments on this sort of thing...this site should be flooded with comments, then there will be change..
Again the Ontario Racing
Again the Ontario Racing Commission has dropped the ball. These kind of people must be eliminated from the racing game. Every appeal that is heard at the ORC ends up with a a reduction from the original fine/suspension. Flanagan Speed, rest in peace.