Toronto, ON – The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has commenced an appeal of the decision of the Ontario Superior Court in the matter of Thomas O’Dwyer v. Ontario Racing Commission. While it respects the decision by the Superior Court, the ORC strongly disagrees with several elements of the decision and believes that it is consistent with its mandate to seek review of the result before a higher court.

“The mandate of the ORC is to act in the public interest to govern, direct, control and regulate the horse racing industry in Ontario and to ensure public confidence in the honesty and integrity of the industry,” says John Blakney, Executive Director of the ORC.

“In all its dealings, the ORC works for and strives to establish a climate that is in the best interests of the horse racing community, the betting public and the health of the horse.

“We welcome the opportunity for a review by Ontario’s highest court of the legal principles applied by the trial judge in this case.”