Report: Assiniboia trainer challenges 6-month suspension

Jerry Gourneau, a perennial top trainer at Assiniboia Downs, is challenging a six-month suspension and US$7,267 fine handed out by Manitoba regulators after four of his horses tested positive for overages of the legal steroid dexamethasone following their races.

Gourneau, 62, will plead his case at a hearing Aug. 28 before the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, according to the Winnipeg Free Press, which first reported on the punishment.

Four horses trained by Gourneau, namely Woke Joke, She’s My Priority, Mister K and Golden Diversion, tested positive for dexamethasone after races run June 4-12 and were retroactively disqualified in separate rulings handed down on July 10, the newspaper reported. The first three won their races while Golden Diversion finished second. 

In an interview with the Free Press, Gourneau and veterinarian Cyndi Kasper acknowledged administering the drug used to treat inflammation, allergies and adrenal insufficiency to the horses, but said it was given 58 hours before their respective races. Manitoba regulations stipulate that the drug should not be administered within 48 hours of a race and should clear a horse's system in that case.  

“Everything was done according to the plan of following the rules. I didn’t break any of their rules. I was following the rules,” Gourneau told the newspaper.

Gourneau, who is barred from Assiniboia Downs for the duration of his suspension, and his lawyer, David Wolfe Walker, plan to challenge the accuracy of the testing done by Racing Forensics Inc., the laboratory which processed the urine samples from the horses, at the upcoming hearing, the Free Press said.

Lisa Hansen, a communications analyst with the regulatory body, defended the suspension and fine. 

“Positive drug tests have a direct impact on the integrity and outcome of a race, the safety of horse racing participants and horses, and carries financial incentive,” the Free Press quoted her as saying.

“It is also in the public interest to protect animal and rider welfare, which is compromised if horses have been administered controlled substances.”