Canada Suspensions

Doug Berkeley, a harness trainer, and owner Walter Dixon were each fined $350,000 and suspended 10 years by the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC). Trainer Matthew Moeykens was suspended and fined $100,000 and Leslie Berkeley (his wife) was fined $50,000.

The fines and suspensions all relate to a case that allegedly involves hidden ownership and shadow trainers. It is alleged that Berkeley, although under suspension, continued to train horses which were listed in programs as being trained by Moeykens.

A spokesman for the Ontario Racing Commission, as quoted in the Toronto Star, said the four individuals were acting contrary to the best interests of racing and that they "knowingly withheld information from investigators.”

Jean Major, executive director of the ORC said that the Commission has over 7,000 pages of evidence in support of its case. Another 10 people are expected to be served with writs relating to the same matter.

The individuals have the right to appeal and, of course, to seek relief from the courts if they so choose.

The case is the latest of a series of actions by the Ontario Racing Commission to address hidden ownership and the uncertainty of trainer responsibility.

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