(Edited Press Release)
Plans remain on schedule for the mid-December grand opening of Saratoga Stud LLC (formerly Highcliff Stallions), a new stallion complex which will complete the full-service Thoroughbred breeding facility located just east of Saratoga Springs.
Saratoga Stud will be headed by C. Lynwood O’Cain, DVM, his wife Suzie and Rick Burke. Dr. O’Cain, as Resident Veterinarian, oversaw the entire breeding operation of Highcliff Farm for 23 years, while his wife was in charge of stallion promotion and development.
Saratoga Stud will be located at 224 Burke Road, Stillwater NY, on part of the 300-acre Irish Hill Century Farm, which is owned by Burke. Irish Hill has been in operation since 1883 and specializes in broodmare care and foaling, while also providing Thoroughbred sales preparation, boarding and transportation.
“`Doc’ and I are thrilled to be part of this new venture with Rick Burke and our stallions,” said Suzie O’Cain. “Managing a stallion operation is what we have done for 23 years and are delighted to be totally involved and immersed in it again.”
O’Cain added, “Doing this in a new facility, along with the close proximity to Saratoga Race Course affords us the opportunity to attract quality stallions to complement our current stallion roster. We are looking forward to overseeing the stallions and interacting with their owners and other breeders on a daily basis. We see this as a very positive move that will benefit Saratoga, the breeders, the stallions, stallion owners and all of the Saratoga Stud connections.”
The O’Cains have plenty of connections in the industry and plenty of experience garnered from their years at Highcliff Farm, near Amsterdam, NY. Carl Lizza, who campaigned 1981 champion three-year-old filly Wayward Lass, founded Highcliff Farm with partner Joe Bartone in 1989. Highcliff was home to several of Lizza’s stallions including Cosmonaut, Key Contender, Noble Nashua and Western Expression.
224 Burke Road (518) 306-5027 Stillwater, NY 12170 (518) 573-2304
