Article content

There was anger and disbelief among the shed rows at Hastings Racecourse after as many as 26 foreign workers were hauled off in handcuffs during raids on Monday by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Trainer Craig McPherson lost one of his grooms from Mexico, a skilled worker named David.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Disbelief and anger as workers at Hastings Racecourse are led away in handcuffs Back to video

“He’s been with me five years, he’s on the payroll, he pays taxes. You’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer, humbler guy,” said McPherson. “It’s heartbreaking to think they led him out in handcuffs like a criminal.”

McPherson said he has been trying, without luck, to contact David. “People are in shock. These are not criminals.”

McPherson was particularly appalled by the manner in which the raid “went down.”

“I love David and it brings tears to my eyes to think about how he was treated.”

Like most seasonal workers at Hastings, David arrives in February when preparations for the racing season begin, and returns to Mexico in the winter.