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On Feb. 3, 2025, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) published three new rulings regarding the collaboration between two harness racing trainers in order to circumvent a previous ruling and violate the Rules of Standardbred Racing. Standardbred trainer Jimmy Gagnon has been suspended for 18 months and fined $2,500 for collaborating with a suspended trainer, Carol Voyer, in order to circumvent Voyer’s suspension.
Voyer was previously suspended for three years in July 2023 and fined $11,000 due to the suspicious death of a racehorse. Despite this suspension, AGCO investigations revealed that Voyer continued to secretly direct horse training and racing activities, communicating instructions through Gagnon. Gagnon also misled AGCO officials during the investigation.
In order to participate in racing as a trainer, individuals must be licensed. Concealing the identity of a trainer is a violation of the Rules of Racing.
As a result of their actions, Gagnon is suspended from Feb. 5, 2025 to Aug. 5, 2026, as per Ruling 2981516. Voyer receives an additional 18-month suspension, extending his suspension from racing until Jan. 19, 2028, as per Ruling 2981444.
As Gagnon was the trainer of record of horses Laa Dee Gaa and Butterfly Kisses, the AGCO has disqualified these horses and ordered the purse redistribution for seven races between March and May of 2024, as noted in Ruling 3000466.
The AGCO reminds licensees that AGCO Inspectors, Race Officials, Vets and other personnel are always available to provide support and answer any questions about compliance with AGCO Standards and the Rules of Racing.
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 these regulatory actions for violations of the following Rules of Standardbred Racing: Rules 3.10, 6.10.01; Rules 6.20(a)(b)(c) 6.21, 6.27, and 6.29; Rules 11.08 and 6.13.01; and Rule 26.08.
