Hickory Lane Farm reports that McArdle died, age 24

It is with a heavy heart from all of us at Hickory Lane Farm in Ohio that we announce the great harness racing racehorse and stallion, McArdle (Falcon Seelster-Lilting Laughter), passed away peacefully at the farm this past Saturday (Sept. 9) at age 24.

Born, raised and sold as a yearling by Perretti Farms, McArdle 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 and Mike LaChance. As a racehorse, he earned a 1:49 mark at three and amassed $2,455,609 in earnings with 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, 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, Ohio while for most of his stallion career being shuttled to perform stallion duty in the Southern Hemisphere at Nevele R Farm, 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 eighty six million dollars ($86,000,000) including seven-million or double millionaires including superstar and current Canadian sire McWicked 7, 1:46.2 ($4,930,967); World Champion One More Laugh 3, 1:47.4 ($2,690,593); Ohio Champion Charlie May 4, 1:47.1 ($2,020,385); McCedes 3, 1:49.4 ($1,337,082); Nob Hill High 6, 1:50.1 ($1,110,703); McErlean 4, 1:49.1 ($1,039,646); Lispatty 7, 1:49.4 ($1,005,403) as well as Ohio filly champion, Queen of the Pride 4, 1:50.2 ($787,211).

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.

From Hickory Lane Farm