Gerl Suspended for Non-Therapeutic Drug Positive

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has suspended the license of Thoroughbred trainer Robert Gerl of Palgrave, Ontario, for 20 years, effective May 30, and fined him $100,000. The suspension stemmed from alleged infractions of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing involving two horses trained by Gerl (Arafat and Komunist) that tested positive for ostarine (enobosarm), a non-therapeutic substance.

"The health and welfare of racehorses and the integrity of racing are of primary concern to the AGCO," chief executive officer and registrar Tom Mungham said. "We will continue to take all appropriate actions to protect horses and maintain the fairness of racing. The administration of prohibited substances, especially non-therapeutic drugs, has no business in the sport, and positive test results can lead to severe consequences for license holders."  

Ontario's Rules of Racing include clear restrictions on the use of prohibited drugs or substances for horses so as to protect the horses, jockeys, and drivers, and to uphold the integrity of the sport. The health and welfare of the racehorse and the integrity of racing is of paramount interest to the AGCO, and it will continue to hold those who fail to follow regulations accountable for their actions.

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.

Arafat and Komunist ran in different races at Woodbine in October 2021, finishing second and fourth, respectively.

The AGCO selects horses to provide a post-race sample (blood) for testing, and Arafat and Komunist both tested positive for ostarine.  In addition to the post-race testing, out-of-competition testing was also conducted in October 2021, confirming the presence of ostarine in one horse. 

In addition to the suspension of Gerl's license and the monetary penalty, the AGCO has ordered that Arafat and Komunist be declared unplaced in their races, and their order of finish changed. All purse monies associated with these horses on the affected race dates must therefore be returned for redistribution to other participants in those races. In addition, any horses owned or controlled in whole or in part by Gerl shall not be eligible to race in Ontario.