Suzie O'Cain, prominent New York breeding figure, dies

Suzie O’Cain, a prominent figure in New York breeding and racing for decades, died Tuesday in Saratoga Springs after a battle with breast cancer.

O'Cain was born in Madison, Wisc., and raised in Mississippi. She became involved with Thoroughbreds after meeting her husband of 40 years, Dr. C. Lynwood “Doc” O’Cain.

“We met in Louisiana and were married in Louisiana,” Doc O’Cain said in the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.'s, obituary for Suzie O'Cain. “She showed Quarter Horses in Louisiana and knew nothing about Thoroughbreds at all. I did some Thoroughbred veterinary work in Louisiana and when we moved [to New York] she got involved in Thoroughbreds.”

The O’Cains moved to New York in 1985, when Doc O’Cain went to work at Schoenborn Brothers Farm in Coxsackie, which stood leading New York stallions Cormorant and Talc. The O'Cains became best known in the region for their association with Highcliff Farm, which began in 1989. Working with Highcliff's co-owner, the late Carl Lizza, the O'Cains were involved with operating his successful Flying Zee Stable breeding and racing programs. Flying Zee was a perennial leading owner on the New York Racing Association circuit, campaigning stakes winners including multiple Grade 1 winner Wayward Lass.

Highcliff also stood prominent stallions in the region, including Thunder Puddles, a New York-bred graded stakes winner who went on to sire New York-bred Grade 1 winner and millionaire Thunder Rumble. Highcliff also stood stallions such as Congaree, Cosmonaut, Key Contender, Stonesider, and Western Expression, and Suzie O'Cain led the way in promoting the roster and booking the stallions.

Lizza died in July 2011, and Flying Zee's stock was eventually dispersed. The O'Cains continued to be involved with the Highcliff stallion roster under the Saratoga Stallions banner, first moving operations to Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, then to McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds the following year, and finally, to Rick Burke's Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater. Over the last several years, the former Highcliff stallions have either passed, left the state, or been pensioned, but Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions is now a major operation on the New York breeding landscape.

Suzie O’Cain continued to serve the New York Thoroughbred industry in many capacities, including as a member of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s board of directors for more than two decades and as one of three Directors Emeriti at the time of her passing. She was also a member of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s board of directors from 2003 until this past August, served as co-chairwoman of the NYTB’s Political Action Committee, and was chairwoman of the NYTB’s Media Committee.

O’Cain also founded Find A Cure Stable to campaign horses to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She was honored in 2003 at the governor’s mansion in Albany during a Women’s History Month reception to recognize pioneering women of the region.

Plans for a memorial service and celebration of life, most likely in August at Saratoga Race Course, are pending. Memorial donations can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.