Horse trainer Carol Voyer has been issued monetary penalties totaling $11k by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) following the ‘suspicious’ death of racehorse Cams Lucky Sam.

The Crown corporation governs, directs, controls and regulates horse racing in the province, and has alleged that Voyer, of Puslinch Ontario, violated multiple Rules of Standardbred Racing; Rule 6.27, Rules 6.47.01(a) and 6.47.07(a)(b), and Rules 6.20(a)(b)(c) and 6.22.

The violations include committing an act of neglect, providing misleading information regarding the whereabouts of the horse, engaging in conduct not in the best interest of racing, and failing to report the death of the racehorse to the AGCO.

In addition to the monetary penalties handed down, the AGCO has also suspended Voyer for three years, from July 19, 2023 to July 18, 2026.

Tom Mungham, CEO and Registrar, AGCO, commented: “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.

“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.”

Under the Rules of Racing, any licensed horse racing participant issued a Ruling has the right to appeal the AGCO’s action to the Horse Racing Appeal Panel (HRAP), which is an independent adjudicative body mandated to hear appeals of decisions.

The monetary penalties are the latest handed down by the AGCO, which last month ordered Fitzdares Canada and BV Gaming to pay $15k each for offering prohibited bets on Canadian major junior hockey.