Harness Racing: Sylvain Filion and Richard Moreau Receive 10-Year Suspensions, $40,000 Fines

Sylvain Filion (Nicholas Barnsdale Photo)

Trainer Richard Moreau and driver Sylvain Filion have each received 10-year suspensions and $40,000 fines from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) after the non-therapeutic drug darbepoetin alfa (DPO) was detected in Funtime Bayama during his Pepsi North America Cup elimination in early June.

Moreau's suspension is effective from July 23, 2024, to July 23, 2034, while Filion's runs from October 31, 2024, to October 31, 2034. The AGCO's press release on Friday indicated that Filion was also acting as a trainer for the horse, making both parties accountable for the positive test.

"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."

Sylvain Filion, Canada’s Driver of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016, recently announced to Trot Insider / Standardbred Canada that he is taking a break from the sport and returning to Quebec. Filion was also inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on August 7 this year. Richard Moreau, who was awarded Canada’s Trainer of the Year for an impressive 10 consecutive years from 2013 to 2022, faces the same 10-year suspension and $40,000 fine.