Helio Ouellet Passes

Published: November 27, 2015 12:06 pm EST

Quebec trainer Helio Ouellet, best known for his achievements with millionaire pacer Broussard in the early 1990s, has passed away at the age of 82.

Ouellet, whose sons Michel and Serge also became trainer/drivers, had 41 wins in the sulky and more than 350 as a trainer.

In 1990, the year his 11-time winner Mathers Yuma was nominated for an O’Brien Award as champion two-year-old trotting filly, he received the Roger White trophy as Quebec trainer of the year.

Helio also had a big year in 1991, which saw Broussard capture the Monctonian in track-record time. At the time, Helio called it the biggest victory of his career, because of the track record and Maritime hospitality as much as the purse. “We were treated like royalty there,” he told The Montreal Gazette.

Ouellet purchased Broussard for owners Normand Hogue and Antonio Tascillo at a yearling auction in London for $12,000. Michel was the regular driver of the son of Bruce Gimble

Mathers Yuma, who won $114,010 at age two, was a $4,000 purchase. Ouellet and son Michel were part of the ownership group.

“One of the things I learned training for the Investim stable (from 1984 to 1988) was that young horses were the way to go,” said Ouellet, who started in the sport at age 14 grooming horses for a neighbour in his hometown of Montmagny. Helio became less active about 15 years ago because of illness.

No funeral or visitation is planned.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Helio Ouellet.

(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)

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