Caution to Ontario Tracks: Strangles Outbreak at Saratoga Raceway

Due to an outbreak of strangles at Saratoga Raceway, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) advises Ontario tracks to use caution when considering entries of horses showing Saratoga lines in March. Strangles is a highly contagious and serious infection of horses and other equines caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus equi.

“It is up to the discretion of the racetrack. However, I strongly recommend race secretaries not accept entries from horses that have raced at that track in the past month,” said ORC Veterinarian Supervisor Dr. Bruce Duncan. “We recognize that the racing industry is very mobile. This disease is much easier to prevent, rather than deal with after the fact.”

Race secretaries – and anyone with questions or concerns – can contact Dr. Duncan at the ORC main office (416 213-0520).

The ORC is closely monitoring the situation and any further developments will be reported.

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