The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has banned horse trainer Anthony Beaton for two years due to animal welfare concerns. The AGCO began investigating the matter in October after receiving a tip-off.
He broke two rules, one of which relates to the person committing an act of cruelty or neglect to a horse. The other breach is when the guilty party commits “misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of racing.”
used a whip excessively on a horse that was younger than two years old
Beaton allegedly used a whip excessively on a horse that was younger than two years old, which caused injury to the animal. His suspension will remain in place until October 2025 but the standardbred trainer can fight the decision in front of the Horse Racing Appeal Panel, which is an independent body.
Speaking about the matter, AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr mentioned how the regulator “holds horse racing participants to the highest standards of conduct, particularly those responsible for the care and training of horses.”
Beaton is a successful Ontario-based trainer, with his horses winning 80 races in 467 starts this year, yielding over $1.7m in prize money.