Local horse trainer fined, suspended after suspicious death of horse

A horse trainer from Puslinch has been fined $11,000 and suspended for three years after what the AGCO says was the suspicious death of a racehorse.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario said there are "reasonable grounds to believe" Carol Voyer violated several rules for standardbred racing, after the death of racehorse Cams Lucky Sam.

Voyer is accused of committing an act of neglect, providing misleading information regarding the horse's whereabouts, engaging in conduct not in the best interest of racing and failing to report the racehorse's death to the AGCO.

The horse was racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville.

“The AGCO will continue to hold those who fail to follow regulations accountable for their actions, especially when it involves the well-being of racehorses," Tom Mungham, the CEO and registrar of the AGCO said in a news release.

"The AGCO’s paramount interest lies in safeguarding the health and welfare of racehorses, protecting the safety of individuals, and maintaining the integrity of racing as a whole."

Voyer's three-year suspension takes effect next Wednesday, July 19 and expires July 18, 2026.

But the AGCO said Voyer can appeal the decision with the Horse Racing Appeal Panel.