The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has taken action against a horse trainer accused of negligence in the ‘suspicious’ death of racehorse Cams Lucky Sam.
Carol Voyer is alleged to have violated multiple Rules of Standardbred Racing, including committing an act of neglect and providing misleading information regarding the whereabouts of the horse.
Voyer, of Puslinch Ontario, is also accused of engaging in conduct not in the best interest of racing, and failing to report the death of the racehorse to the AGCO, which governs, directs, controls and regulates horse racing in the province.
As a result of her purported infringements of the Rules of Standardbred Racing, Voyer has been issued monetary penalties totaling $8.3k (CAD$11k) and suspended for three years, from July 19, 2023 to July 18, 2026.
“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,” said Tom Mungham, CEO and Registrar, AGCO.
“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.
