‘Nothing He Could’ve Prevented’: Canadian Harness Trainer Facing Indefinite Suspension Over Multiple Lasix Overages

Canadian harness racing trainer Marc Campbell is facing an indefinite suspension over a series of four positives tests in the past year, reports CBC.ca, but three of those positives were for the commission veterinarian-administered medication Lasix. The four rulings are currently under appeal.

Canada is not under the purview of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, but the Atlantic Harness Racing Commission employs a similar method for race-day Lasix administration. A commission-approved veterinarian administers the medication several hours prior to the race.

Three violations occurred in the same horse, The Lady Sherriff, according to records obtained from the Standardbred Canada website. Two of the violations with The Lady Sherriff have occurred in the past 30 days at Charlottetown Driving Park in the province of Prince Edward Island.

“There was nothing he could've prevented,” Jim Whelan, president of the Ontario Harness Horse Association, told CBC. “When there's a mistake made — whether it's science, the horse not metabolizing stuff properly, whether it's a mistake made when the medication is administered to the horse — the trainer's held responsible, in this case when it wasn't part of his responsibility.”

A third violation, with a different horse, Galway Girl, also occurred at Charlottetown Driving Park within the past 30 days. Galway Girl is named on Standardbred Canada's list of indefinitely suspended horses.

Neither Campbell nor the Atlantic Harness Racing Commission commented on the rulings when contacted by CBC.

“He went from a hero to zero here in a matter of a week, and he's never had a chance to explain his side of the story, or literally have due process in this,” Whelan continued. “You could destroy his whole career and his family and it'll be a tainted career going forward if this isn't properly sorted out real quick.”