Deo Volente Farms has announced that the two-time O’Brien Award winner and double millionaire Lis Mara passed away from colic in Ireland on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at the age of 22.

Lis Mara was the fastest and richest son of Cambest from the great broodmare Lisheen, a full sister to Albert Albert. Lis Mara was a double millionaire and world champion with a legendary career. As a four-year-old in 2006, Lis Mara, who was a stakes winner at age three, burst onto the free-for-all scene, winning $1,042,110. He won the elimination and final of the Breeders Crown, the Canadian Pacing Derby final, the Des Smith Memorial, and the American National. His 2006 world record Breeders Crown win (1:47.3) was the fastest mile in the history of that prestigious race at the time. Lis Mara followed up his championship 2006 season by earning $1,008,681, becoming the first horse in 20 years to defend his Canadian Pacing Derby title. Lis Mara was trained by Erv Miller and Tony Alagna’s expert assistance. He was driven primarily by Brian Sears. The connections are grateful for all the great work done by these horsemen.

During his racing days, co-owners Mike Gulotta and Andy Wallinger (who purchased Lis Mara as a yearling) contributed a portion of Lis Mara’s earnings to homeless people in Haiti. More than 20 new residences were constructed, and a street was named Lis Mara Drive in the champion’s honour.

Prior to standing stud in Ireland, Lis Mara began his career as a dual hemisphere stallion standing at Emerald Ridge Farm in Ontario and Nevele R Stud in New Zealand from 2008 to 2012 with Kentuckiana Farms as the syndicate manager. Lis Mara then remained at Nevele R Stud from 2013 to 2014. He later returned to the Northern Hemisphere, where he stood at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey from 2015 to 2020. He moved to Clive Richardson’s farm in Ireland in 2021 where he continued his stallion career until his death.

During his 16-year-long breeding career, he sired four sub-1:50 pacers, including his richest son Mel Mara p, 7,1:47, a winner of $1,020,897, and his fastest son Validus Deo p,3,1:48,4.

“I am distraught by the loss,” said Michael J. Gulotta, Lis Mara’s prior co-owner and CEO of Deo Volente Farms. “Lis Mara was one of the four ‘founding horses’ instrumental in building Deo Volente Farms into the premiere world-class Standardbred breeding farm it is today. We lost his mother, Lisheen, several years ago. I knew this day would come, but losing one of the best horses I ever owned is still heartbreaking. Being part of his amazing legacy for almost 20 years was truly an honour.”

Gulotta went on to say: “He helped build Deo Volente Farms. He helped build over 20 houses and a school in Grand Boulage, Haiti. He touched so many lives. Lis Mara may be gone, but he left his mark on the world.”

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Lis Mara.

(with files from Deo Volente Farms)