Trot Insider has learned claiming pacer First Victor died shortly after Monday’s eleventh race at Woodbine Racetrack.

Early reports indicate the gelding suffered a heart attack in the paddock following the race.

“As soon as they went to take the bike off him he collapsed,” said driver Doug McNair, “I thought that he raced like he was tied up or something, but he must of had a heart attack or something.

“He was a nice little horse who was just the size of a pony,” added McNair, who had a soft spot for the eight-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser-Just Call Me Best. “He tried 110% every race, and he was one of the first horses that I drove full time at WEG. I think he won seven races for me. He definitely was one of my favourites.”

First Victor, who was trained by Joe Pereira for owner Joe Gasparro of Downsview, ON, was a 22-time winner with purse earnings in excess of $260,000. He took his lifetime mark of 1:51.3 at Mohawk Racetrack during his six-year-old campaign.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of First Victor.