The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced on Wednesday, Nov. 12 that it is further strengthening racehorse and claimant protection with enhanced invalidation of claims rules for Standardbred racing.
The AGCO stated that these changes are being made following numerous industry consultations and align with recent updates made to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing. The new rules expand the criteria for claims to be invalidated in certain circumstances after a claiming race and add a requirement for a pre-race warm-up assessment and post-race Observation Period.
The AGCO started that these changes help safeguard claimant’s investments, while ensuring veterinary oversight for horses during the transfer of ownership.
These changes will be effective Feb. 2, 2026.
Before implementation, each racetrack is expected to update its individual track rules to support the invalidation of claims rules expansion. The track rules are to explain how the claiming process will work at each specific track, such as where the Observation Period will take place. The track rules must be approved by the AGCO. Specific questions regarding track rules should be directed to Race Officials.
See below for the changes to the Standardbred Rules of Racing.
Additionally, after a year of observing the operational impacts of the enhanced claiming rules on the Thoroughbred industry, the AGCO is making small procedural changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing.
Why are these changes being made?
The AGCO stated that expanding the invalidation of claims rules is part of a continued effort to help ensure the highest standards of health, safety and accountability across the horse racing industry in Ontario, aligning with the AGCO’s commitment to fostering sustainability in the sectors it regulates.
Adding more opportunities for veterinarians to observe and examine horses increases the assurance that the claimed horses are healthy and able to continue racing. This benefits both the horse and the claimant.
These changes will help to position Ontario as a leading Canadian jurisdiction in equine and consumer protection with respect to claims.
Upcoming changes for Standardbred racing:
Observation requirement: Having horses automatically opted into a post-race observation provides more opportunity for any issues that would place a horse on the Veterinarians’ List to become visible. The AGCO will permit flexibility in this process by allowing claimants to opt out of the Observation Period directly on the claim slip. Waiving the observation forfeits the enhanced invalidation of claims protections.
- Horses will be observed walking after a race by a Commission or Official Veterinarian. The observation may also include a physical examination, although it is not intended to be a comprehensive pre-purchase exam.
- The Observation Period is to take place a minimum of 30 minutes after a claiming race.
- The original trainer (or their representative) must take the horse directly to the observation area following a claiming race and stay for the duration of the observation. Failure to comply may result in monetary penalties.
Pre-race warm-up assessment: A consistent warm-up observed by a veterinarian assesses the horse’s movement and condition on the racing surface, helping to identify any potential signs of medical issues. Horses will be observed by an Official or Commission Veterinarian in a mandatory one-lap warm-up.
- On the instance the warm-up is excused by the Judges, the horse may be instead directed for a pre-race examination by an Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian to help identify any signs of potential medical issues ahead of a claiming race.
Expanded grounds for invalidating claims: Increased veterinary oversight during the post-race Observation Period allows for any specific health conditions to present themselves.
- At the option of the claimant, a Race Official may rule a claim invalid if before the end of the Observation Period the Official or Commission Veterinarian places the horse on the Veterinarians’ List, observes the horse bleeding from the nostrils, determines the horse suffered an injury that requires euthanasia, or the horse dies.
Implications of claim invalidation: If the claimant opts to have the claim invalidated by a Race Official, the horse is to be returned to the original owner in the same physical and medical condition as when it was claimed.
- In addition to the other conditions in SB 15.22, if a claim is ruled invalid the horse must be returned to the original owner in the same material condition.
Upcoming procedural changes for Thoroughbred racing:
Observation requirement: Horses will now be automatically opted into the Observation Period, ensuring veterinary oversight is the standard practice in claiming races. The AGCO will permit flexibility in this process by allowing claimants to opt out of the Observation Period directly on the claim slip. Waiving the observation forfeits the enhanced invalidation of claims protections.
Minor revisions have been made to the language as to when the Observation Period should take place following the race; however, its implementation remains the same, ensuring sufficient cool-down time for the horse.
Questions?
For any questions regarding changes to the claiming rule expansions, see the Race Day Contact List.
Background information
Industry Notice – Thoroughbred Claiming Rules Now in Effect
Changes to the Standardbred Rules of Racing
Changes in Chapter 2: Definitions of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:
Observation Period means the time of observation, conducted by a Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian, which may include a physical examination, after a claiming race.
Rule changes in Chapter 15: Claiming Races of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:
15.20.01 The Judges, shall rule a claim invalid:
- At the option of the claimant, if the Official Chemist reports a positive test on a horse that was claimed, provided such option is exercised within 48 hours following notification to the claimant of the positive test by the Judges;
- At the option of the claimant, if the horse has been found ineligible to the event from which it was claimed;
- At the option of the claimant, if approved post-race testing procedures discloses that an improper medication or drug was found to be present in the sample of the claimed horse and reported in the analysis report from the lab, provided such option is exercised within 48 hours following notification to the claimant by the Judges
.; - If the horse dies on the racetrack; or
- If the horse suffers an injury which requires euthanasia while on the racetrack as determined by either a Commission Veterinarian or an Official Veterinarian;
- At the option of the claimant, if before the end of the Observation Period:
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian places the horse on the Veterinarians’ List;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian observes the horse bleeding from the nostrils;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian determines the horse has suffered an injury which requires euthanasia; or
- The horse dies.
15.22 When the Judges rule that a claim is invalid and the horse is returned to the original owner:
- The amount of the claiming price shall be repaid to the claimant;
- Any purse monies earned subsequent to the date of the claim and before the date on which the claim is ruled invalid shall be the property of the claimant; and
- The claimant shall be responsible for any reasonable costs incurred through the care, training or racing of the horse while it was in his or her possession
.; and - The horse shall be returned to the original owner in the same material condition.
15.23 Claimants or their representative may choose to have the horse observed by an Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian. A claimant or their representative must confirm with the Judges or such other Official as set out in the track rules if they choose to waive the Observation Period. If the claimant or representative chooses to waive the Observation Period, Rule 15.20.01(f) shall no longer apply.
15.23.01 With respect to the Observation Period, the original trainer or their representative shall proceed directly and without delay, to the designated observation area; failure to comply may result in a monetary penalty or such other action, as determined by the Judges.
15.23.02 The observation shall take place a minimum of 30 minutes after the race.
15.23.03 Except in the case of an emergency, no horse shall receive treatment before the end of the Observation Period and any such treatment shall be reported to the Judges as soon as practical.
Rule changes in Chapter 22: Racing Rules of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:
22.36 If a horse is to warm up it must go its last All horses must complete a warm-up mile of at least one lap on the same racing strip as it will compete on, unless excused by the Judges.
22.36.01 If excused from a warm-up otherwise required pursuant to 22.36, the Judges may direct the Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian to conduct a pre-race examination of the horse.
Changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing
Rule changes in Chapter 12: Claiming Races of the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing stating:
12.32.01 The Stewards shall rule a claim invalid, if:
- At the option of the claimant, approved post-race testing procedures discloses that an improper medication or drug was found to be present in the sample of the claimed horse which is reported in the analysis report from the lab. Once the claim has been declared invalid by the Stewards the claimant must request within 72 hours that the horse be returned to the original owner;
- At the option of the claimant, if the horse has been found ineligible to the event from which it was claimed;
- The horse dies on the racetrack;
or - The horse suffers an injury which requires euthanasia while on the racetrack as determined by either a Commission Veterinarian or an Official Veterinarian.
- At the option of the claimant, if before the end of the Observation Period:
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian places the horse on the Veterinarians’ List;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian observes the horse is bleeding from the nostrils;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian determines the horse has suffered an injury which requires euthanasia; or
- The horse dies.
12.33 Claimants or their representative may choose to have the horse observed by an Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian. A claimant or their representative must confirm with the Stewards or such other Official as set out in the track rules if they choose to waive the Observation Period that a horse is going to be observed, prior to the horse being transferred to the claimant. If the claimant or their representative chooses to waive the Observation Period, Rule 12.32.01(e) shall no longer apply.
12.33.01 With respect to the Observation Period, the original trainer or their representative claimed horse shall be taken proceed directly and without delay, to the designated observation area; failure to do so may result in a monetary penalty or such other action, as determined by the Stewards. failure to comply may result in the following:
The Observation Period being waived,The claim not being invalidated, and/orSuch other action, as determined by the Stewards.
12.33.02 The observation shall take place a minimum of 30 minutes after the race. as close to one hour after the race as practical.
(AGCO)