AGCO Announces New TCO2 Testing Standards

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced updates to the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Rules of Racing to modernize the Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) testing program in line with evolving industry standards.

Effective date: Sept. 1, 2025

Please see below for the changes to the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Rules of Racing.  

TCO2 testing in Ontario is used to prevent the excess administering of alkalizing agents to horses to improve performance at the expense of their health and welfare. Therefore, it is important that the rules detailing the TCO2 testing process are reflective for the most up-to-date industry standards and allow the latest analysis equipment.

These changes signify the AGCO's commitment to protecting horse welfare and supporting innovation in the regulated horse racing sector. 

What is changing?

• Updated testing methodology – The rule language is being updated to permit the use of the emerging industry standards, namely Head Space Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (HSGCMS) equipment.
• Extended sample testing time – The rules will be updated to increase the analysis requirement from 48 hours to 72 hours, and up to 120 hours in exceptional circumstances.  This change aligns with the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) standards and reduces the costs to the industry without compromising test accuracy.
• General updates – Minor revisions are being made to the Rules of Racing related to the TCO2 program to correct grammatical and formatting inconsistencies. Please see below for these updates to the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Rules of Racing.

Questions

For any questions regarding the rule changes, please see the Race Day Contact List.

Changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing  

Rule changes in Chapter 37: TCO2 Testing Program of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:

37.06  Testing Procedures 

All horses that race are eligible to be selected by the Stewards for blood gas testing (TCO2). 

The entry of a horse shall constitute permission for a person designated by the approved TCO2 TCO2 laboratory to obtain blood samples. To the extent that it is feasible, the owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse will be given notice that the horse is to be tested and shall be present when the blood sample is taken. Refusal by an owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse to attend the taking of the sample will not affect the validity of the test. Any owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse who refuses or fails to permit the taking of a sample from a horse shall have all applicable horses scratched by the Stewards or Administration. Such refusal shall be deemed an admission of a violation of Rule 37.01 empowering the Stewards or Administration to take any necessary action in accordance with the Rules. It shall be the responsibility of the trainer of a horse selected for TCO2 post-race testing to see that the horse is taken directly to the secured area designated by the Race Officials after being notified of the horse’s selection for testing.  Where a sample is not collected, the horse may be scratched at the discretion of the Racing Officials. 

Commission Stewards will select the horses to be tested and advise the approved TCO2 TCO2 laboratory personnel accordingly. Commission Stewards may also instruct the approved TCO2 TCO2 laboratory personnel to collect samples from every horse in selected races. The approved TCO2 laboratory is responsible for: 

1. Collecting blood samples, by an authorized person (veterinarian, RVT- Registered Veterinary Technician or other person approved by the Registrar) from each selected horse;
2. Collecting the samples within approximately 35 minutes immediately preceding the start of the race in which the selected horse is entered, or as directed by a Commission Steward. The Stewards may also direct the collection of the sample from a selected horse at least 90 minutes after a race in a secured area designated by the Stewards;
3. Ensuring that the samples are centrifuged within approximately 20 minutes of collection and kept under refrigerated conditions until shipped;
4. Shipping the samples to the laboratory in an insulated container;
5. Analyzing the samples for TCO2 using an instrument approved by the Registrar. Beckman Synchron EL-ISE The Registrar’s approval or refusal of an instrument is not subject to appeal;
6. Analyzing samples within 48 hours 72 hours, or up to a maximum of 96120 hours in exceptional circumstances, of collection and reporting all results to the Registrar and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency. 

37.08  Quarantine 

If the level of TCO2 is determined to equal or exceed those set forth in Rule 37.01 above, and the licensed owner or trainer of that horse contends in writing to the Stewards within three calendar days of notification of the results that such levels are physiologically normal for the particular horse, said licensee may request, in writing, that the horse be held in guarded quarantine. If quarantine is so requested, the track association shall make such guarded quarantine available, for a period of time to be determined by the Stewards but in no event less than 72 hours 120 hours, at the sole expense of the licensee requesting same. During any quarantine, the horse shall be re-tested periodically and, although the horse may not race during such quarantine period, it may be exercised and trained at times prescribed by the track association and consistent with the ability to monitor the horse. The horse will only be fed hay, oats and water during the quarantine period. If the Stewards are satisfied, on the basis of the evident facts, the quarantine, and the testing of the horse’s blood during the quarantine period utilizing a Beckman Synchron EL-ISE with the instrument referred to at 37.06(e), that the level of TCO2 set forth in Rule 37.01 above is physiologically normal for that particular horse, the Stewards shall not order the relief set forth in Rule 37.07 above and the horse shall be permitted to compete. In such case, the Stewards or staff of the Commission in their discretion may require that the horse re-establish that such TCO2 level is physiologically normal to it pursuant to the quarantine procedure set forth in this rule.

Changes to the Standardbred Rules of Racing 

Rule changes in Chapter 22: Racing Rules of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:

22.38.05  All horses that race are eligible to be selected by the Judges for blood gas testing (TCO2). 

The entry of a horse shall constitute permission for a person designated by the approved TCO2 laboratory to obtain blood samples. To the extent that it is feasible, the owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse will be given notice that the horse is to be tested and shall be present when the blood sample is taken. Refusal by an owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse to attend the taking of the sample will not affect the validity of the test. Any owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse who refuses or fails to permit the taking of a sample from a horse shall have all applicable horses scratched by the Judges or Administration. Such refusal shall be deemed an admission of a violation of Rule 22.38 empowering the Judges or Administration to take any necessary action in accordance with the Rules. It shall be the responsibility of the trainer of a horse selected for TCO2 post-race testing to see that the horse is taken directly to the secured area designated by the Race Officials after being notified of the horse’s selection for testing. Where a sample is not collected, the horse may be scratched at the discretion of the Racing Officials.  

Commission Judges will select the horses to be tested and advise the approved TCO2 laboratory personnel accordingly. Commission Judges may also instruct the approved TCO2 laboratory personnel to collect samples from every horse in selected races. The approved TCO2 laboratory is responsible for: 

1. Collecting blood samples, by an authorized person (veterinarian or RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician, or other person approved by the Registrar) from each selected horse;
2. Collecting the samples within approximately 20 minutes immediately preceding the start of the race in which the selected horse is entered, or as directed by a Commission Judge. The Commission Judges may also direct the collection of the sample from a selected horse at least 90 minutes after a race in a secured area designated by the Judges;
3. Ensuring that the samples are centrifuged within approximately 20 minutes of collection and kept under refrigerated conditions until shipped;
4. Shipping the samples to the laboratory in an insulated container;
5. Analyzing samples for TCO2 using an instrument approved by the Registrar. The Registrar’s approval or refusal of an instrument is not subject to appeal; Beckman Synchron EL-ISE;
6. Analyzing samples within 48 hours 72 hours, or up to a maximum of 96120 in exceptional circumstances, of collection and reporting all results to the Commission and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency. 

22.38.07  Quarantine 

If the level of TCO2 is determined to equal or exceed those set forth in Rule 22.38 above, and the licensed owner or trainer of that horse contends in writing to the Judges within three calendar days of notification of the results that such levels are physiologically normal for the particular horse, said licensee may request, in writing, that the horse be held in guarded quarantine. If quarantine is so requested, the track association shall make such guarded quarantine available, for a period of time to be determined by the Judges but in no event less than 72120 hours, at the sole expense of the licensee requesting same. During any quarantine, the horse shall be re-tested periodically and, although the horse may not race during such quarantine period, it may be exercised and trained at times prescribed by the track Association and consistent with the ability to monitor the horse. The horse will only be fed hay, oats and water during the quarantine period. If the Judges are satisfied, on the basis of the evident facts, the quarantine, and the testing of the horse’s blood during the quarantine period with the instrument referred to at 22.38.05(e) utilizing a Beckman Synchron EL-ISE, that the level of TCO2 set forth in 22.38. above is physiologically normal for that particular horse, the Judges shall not order the relief set forth in Rule 22.38.06 above and the horse shall be permitted to compete. In such case, the Judges, Commission Veterinarian, or other Commission staff in their discretion may require that the horse re-establish that such TCO2 level is physiologically normal to it pursuant to the quarantine procedure set forth in this rule. 

General updates to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing 

Rule changes in Chapter 15: Misconduct, Needles, Syringes and Searches of the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing stating:

15.06.03  Notwithstanding Rule 15.06.01, the Registrar and all delegated officials shall consider the following to be absolute liability violations: 

1. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive for any substances determined to be nontherapeutic;
2. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from the out-of-competition program, including a violation of 15.38, 15.40.01 or 15.40.02;
3. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from testing in accordance with or under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations under the Criminal Code (Canada);
4. Any trainer whose horse(s) level of TCO2 TCO2 equals or exceeds the levels set out in Rule 37.01; 

15.33.02  The holding of a licence as an owner and/or trainer issued by the Registrar shall constitute permission to allow a person designated by the Registrar to collect or otherwise obtain biological samples from any horse owned and/or trained by a licensee, for purposes of testing. Samples may be collected and tested at any time, whether stabled on or off the grounds of the racing association. Where a blood sample has been collected for purposes of TCO2 TCO2 testing, that sample may be used for testing for the indication of the administration of erythropoietin or any of its synthetic derivatives, and/or any other substance as designated by the Registrar. The application for a licence as an owner and/or trainer issued by the Registrar shall constitute permission for a person designated by the Registrar to obtain that blood sample for such purposes. 

General updates to the Standardbred Rules of Racing 

Rule change in Chapter 6: Violations, Penalties and Expulsions of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:

6.48.02  The holder of a licence as an owner and/ or trainer issued by the Commission shall constitute permission to allow a person designated by the Registrar to collect or otherwise obtain biological samples from any horse owned and/or trained by a licensee, for purposes of testing. Samples may be collected and tested at any time, whether stabled on or off the grounds of the racing association. Where a blood sample has been collected for purposes of TCO2 TCO2 testing, that sample may be used for testing for the indication of the administration of erythropoietin or any of its synthetic derivatives, and/or any other substance as designated by the Registrar. 

Rule change in Chapter 26: Trainers and Grooms of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:

26.02.03  Notwithstanding 26.02.01, the Commission and all delegated officials shall consider the following to be absolute liability violations: 

1. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive for any substances determined to be nontherapeutic;
2. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from the out-of-competition program, including a violation of Rule 6.53, Rule 6.54.01, or 6.54.02;
3. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from testing in accordance with or under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations;
4. Any trainer whose horse(s) level of TCO2 TCO2 equals or exceeds the levels set out in Rule 22.38; 

(AGCO)