Dr. Lucien Paiement, one of the most successful Quebec standardbred owners and breeders of the past 30 years, has passed away at age 80 after a lengthy illness.
A physician by profession, Dr. Paiement also served eight years as mayor of Laval, one of Quebec’s biggest cities, from 1973 to 1981.
But horseracing was his passion.
With purchases at U.S. yearling sales, he developed a strong band of eight pacing broodmares that he bred annually to top stallions in Quebec, the U.S. and Ontario. Most of the offspring had Semalu in the name.
He’d race them at ages two and three, then sell most.
“He was proud of the horses he produced. It was all his breeding,” said Ontario-based trainer Rene Dion, who took over Dr. Paiement's string when his longtime trainer, Pierre Touchette, passed away two years ago.
Dion said Dr. Paiement’s last visit was in December. He was clearly ailing, but “he wanted to see the (2013) two-year-olds.”
Dr. Paiement’s horses won numerous stakes races over the years, including Coupe des Eleveurs finals in Quebec and the Mistletoe Shalee (with Semalu Damour). Among his top performers were Cavalier Semalu, Semalu Express, Esmeralda Semalu, Coqueluche Semalu, Style Semalu, Wendy Semalu, Vanite Semalu and Victoria Semalu.
In 2007, he had four $100,000 winners and was a finalist for the O’Brien Award as breeder of the year.
Dr. Paiement also was longtime head of the provincial breeders’ association and part of a group that bid unsuccessfully to take over Quebec’s four racetracks in 2006.
“He was a calm guy, intelligent, a very convincing speaker. And he committed a lot of his energy to this sport,” said Marc Camirand, head of the provincial horsemen’s association.
A funeral for Dr. Paiement will take place Tuesday, January 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Elzear Church in Laval.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Lucien Paiement.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
Condolences to Dr Paiement's
Condolences to Dr Paiement's family. It was interesting to read Ben's comments about Semalu Damour. We bought Brees Brief earlier in 1983 and had great success with her as well(a great group of fillies at that time) and we were also very interested in buying Semalu Damour; however, when we looked at her she was very correct but she had a roach back and coincidentally Brees Brief had one too. I recall saying to Ray Bednarz that I didn't think it was a issue, probably immaturity, but just in case it was, let's not collect them. We decided not to pursue her to our loss and Dr Paiement's gain.
I worked at Blue Chip in the
I worked at Blue Chip in the 80's and met Dr. Paiement and cared for the great Semalu Damour as a broodmare at the farm. Dr. Paiement was a class owner who enjoyed the game for sport and was very sharp when it came to pedigree and conformation. RIP
Mes condoleances a la famille
Mes condoleances a la famille du DR. Paiement pour leur perte, la paete d'un homme de famille et un ambassadeur pour les courses de chevaux sous harnais a Montreal.R.I.P.
On behalf of Tara Hills Stud,
On behalf of Tara Hills Stud, we would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the Paiement family. Dr. Paiement was a true gentleman and a pleasure to do business with. So sorry for your loss.