Harness: McArdle, 24, dies

Hickory Lane Farm announced on Sunday evening that the great racehorse and stallion, McArdle, passed away peacefully at the farm this past Saturday at age 24.

Born, raised and sold as a yearling by Perretti Farms, McArdle, a son of Falcon Seelster-Lilting Laughter, was owned by Norman Smiley, Gerald Smiley, Sampson Street Stables (Louis Damiano), and TLP Stables (Thomas Pontone) during his racing career from 2001 through 2003. He was masterfully trained by Chris Ryder and driven at two and three by Luc Ouellette, David Miller, Cat Manzi and Mike Lachance. As a racehorse, he earned a 1:49 mark at three and amassed $2,455,609 in earnings while winning 28 races, the vast majority being stake races.

Following his racing career, McArdle was syndicated and began his stallion career in 2004 at Perretti Farms in New Jersey before moving two years later in 2006 to Pennsylvania to stand at Lindwood Farms until 2013, at which time, he arrived at his final destination, Hickory Lane Farm in Ohio. For most of his stallion career, he was also shuttled to perform stallion duty in the Southern Hemisphere at Nevele R Farm in New Zealand.

As a stallion in North America, McArdle's results are as impressive in the breeding shed as they were during in his racing career. Known for siring fast and durable horses, he sired winners of over $86,000,000, including seven million or double millionaires, including superstar and current Canadian sire McWicked 7, 1:46 2/5 ($4,930,967); world champion One More Laugh 3, 1:47 4/5 ($2,690,593); Ohio champion Charlie May 4, 1:47 1/5 ($2,020,385); McCedes 3, 1:49 4/5 ($1,337,082); Nob Hill High 6, 1:50 1/5 ($1,110,703); McErlean 4, 1:49 1/5 ($1,039,646) and Lispatty 7, 1:49 4/5 ($1,005,403), as well as Ohio filly champion Queen of the Pride 4, 1:50 2/5 ($787,211).

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As a racehorse and stallion, McArdle will be fondly remembered for forever touching the lives of many in a positive way, both emotionally and financially. Anyone who was lucky enough to be directly associated with him knew he was a very special animal and truly one of the greats in our sport. He will be dearly missed.

--edited press release (Hickory Lane Farm)--