Owner-Trainer El Deeb Denied License in MN

Citing concerns about neglect of horses owned by Mohamed El Deeb, the Minnesota Racing Commission on Sept. 6 denied his license applications, saying he was "unsuitable for licensing in Minnesota in any capacity."

The decision was in line with recommendations to deny the license from the MRC's compliance committee, the MRC's board of stewards, and the Canterbury Park director of security. Veterinarian and commission member Camille McArdle issued an Aug. 19 letter recommending his license application be denied, citing photos of alleged lack of care of El Deeb's horses.

"Anyone who owns horses or who directs their care has the responsibility to ensure that they have adequate feed, that they do not have to stand in filth, and that their medical needs are seen to," McArdle said. "I am thoroughly disheartened at the photographs showing broodmares suffering from rain rot, thrush, cellulitis, and the effects of substandard or inadequate feed."

The MRC said El Deeb applied earlier this year for two Class C occupational licenses, one as a racehorse owner and one for newly formed corporation Bee Well, in which he was listed as 100% owner. The commission launched an investigation into the suitability of El Deeb as a licensee based, in part, on a third-party complaint of animal neglect at his breeding farm.

In June, the MRC said it received from the Minnesota Animal Humane Society a report from an agent who visited El Deeb's Thoroughbred farms in Lakeville and Buffalo, Minn. Agent Keith Streff said El Deeb had a history of "questionable equine management" and has had numerous concerns and complaints filed with the Humane Society.

The report noted there were fires at the Lakeville farm three times from 2003-2006 with the 2003 fire resulting in the death of 18 horses.

The MRC said its investigation discovered that criminal charges alleging the mistreatment of animals were filed against El Deeb in 2008 in Wright County, Minn. The MRC said according to court records, El Deeb pled guilty to the charge of failure to provide shelter in return for dismissal of charges that involved improper feeding of animals and torture at El Deeb's Buffalo, Minn. breeding farm.

The MRC received a written complaint from out-of-state horseman Buck Wheeler, who included "disturbing photos of horses under the ownership, custody, and control of El Deeb that had been shipped to Wheeler to be bred in Kentucky."

In making its decision, the MRC also noted that El Deeb violated requirements as a trainer when he failed to maintain workers' compensation insurance and to certify compliance with workers' compensation laws. The MRC said El Deeb's workers' compensation policies were canceled Aug. 20, 2013.

"The weight of evidence before the commission overwhelmingly supports the determination that continued licensure of El Deeb is inconsistent with the best interests of racing in Minnesota, poses a threat to the integrity of racing in Minnesota, and would adversely affect public safety, health and welfare, most importantly, of the equine participants," the MRC ruled.

El Deeb could not immediately be reached for comment on the MRC decision.