Trainer Richard Moreau and driver Sylvain Filion have both received ten-year suspensions and $40,000 fines from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for the presence of the non-therapeutic drug darbepoetin alfa (DPO) in Funtime Bayama in his Pepsi North America Cup elimination back in early June.
Moreau's suspension runs from July 23, 2024 to July 23, 2034 and Filion's from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2034. According to the press release issued on Friday, Filion is found to also have been acting as a trainer of the horse, making both responsible for the positive test.
► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter
"The AGCO is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of Ontario's racehorses and maintaining the fairness and integrity of racing," said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO of AGCO. "Performance-enhancing substances have no business in the sport and their administration can lead to severe consequences for licence holders."
Filion, who was Canada's Driver of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016, recently told Trot Insider/Standardbred Canada he was taking a break from the sport and returning to Quebec. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on August 7 of this year. Moreau was Trainer of the Year in Canada 10 straight years from 2013 to 2022.