Trot Insider has learned that U.S. and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Peaceful Way has passed away at the age of 24.

A daughter of Angus Hall - Royal Bait, Peaceful Way won 33 of 52 starts with $3,245,055 in earnings, the third most ever by a trotting mare in North America at the time of her retirement. Bred in Ontario by Angie Stiller of Arva, Ont., Peaceful Way was a four-time O’Brien Award winner as Canada’s divisional champion, as well as a two-time Dan Patch Award winner in the United States.

Her biggest victories came in the Goldsmith Maid at two, the Delvin Miller Memorial at three, the Breeders Crown at four, and the Maple Leaf Trot, Armbro Flight and Matchmaker at five. Her lifetime mark of 1:51.4, taken as a four-year-old at The Meadowlands in a leg of the Classic Oaks, matched the world record for her age, sex and gait.

After limited success as a broodmare in North America, Peaceful Way was sold to Norwegian-based owners in 2013. It was there where she flourished, delivering her most accomplished foal — Thankful NO, a daughter of Muscle Hill who eventually crossed the Atlantic to race in North America and eventually settle in Canada.

"We were so lucky," Ingvild Seljord, the daughter of owner Svein Seljord, told Trot Insider. "She was the love of my dad's life. He was so amazed with that mare.

"She had a tumour in her mouth and she started losing teeth. This year, she started losing weight because she couldn't chew right," Seljord continued, indicating the decision was made to euthanize. "It was hard but you have to think about the pain."

According to Seljord, Peaceful Way caught easily and delivered foals for an incredible 14 consecutive years, producing from 2009 through to 2022.

(photo of Peaceful Way taken in 2024)

"It was like a fairy tale, doing this from Norway. She flew into cold Norway in 2013, with a baby by her side, 13th of December. Gave birth on the 14th of March no problems. No problems ever getting pregnant.

"We stopped breeding her three years ago — she got pregnant every year and gave birth, but we said that was enough...she had three great years just being a horse with her friends in the field, feeling good."

Seljord noted that Peaceful Way is currently being considered for Elite mare status in Norway.  The legacy of Peaceful Way will continue both in Europe and in North America. Her youngest foal is Peaceful Day — a three-year-old sired by Maharajah, currently unbeaten in four career starts in Sweden — while Freedom — a six-year-old by Muscle Hill — is racing in France.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Peaceful Way.