Mac Lilley Farms Celebrating 50 Years

Published: January 2, 2022 11:15 am EST

Mac Lilley Farms in Dutton, Ont. will be celebrating its 50th year of breeding Standardbreds in 2022.

Mac and Ann Lilley seated in their truck surrounded by family. (Provided Photo)

It all started in 1972 when Mac and Ann Lilley purchased Zip Tar, the farms' first breeding stallion.

Fifty years and 50 stallions later, Mac Lilley Farms is still going strong.

Mac Lilley Farms was breeding Standardbreds when the Ontario Sires Stakes Program started, artificial insemination took the place of live cover, the Slots at Racetracks Program began and ended, races were simulcast for the first time, and for so many more advancements in the industry.

Mac and Jeff Lilley with Warrawee Needy when the stallion first arrived at the farm. (Provided Photo)

“When we look back at the business, it feels like so much has happened, but it has just been a series of days filled by feeding, breeding, training, racing and delivering foals,” said farm manager Jeff Lilley.

In 2022, Mac Lilley Farms will stand Dali, Il Sogno Dream, Panther Hanover and Sunfire Bluechip.

Mac Lilley being inducted into the The Raceway at Western Fair District's Wall of Fame in 2017. (AG Photography)

The farm will be hosting events throughout 2022 to mark the 50-year milestone.

One event will be the RCMP Musical Ride performing at the farm on September 20, 2022.

This Dutton Ranch (not Yellowstone, but Mac Lilley Farms) will be hosting a virtual historical tour of the farm and the family. Trials and tribulations, joys and achievements, the tour will make you laugh and cry.

More details on these events will be announced as they are finalized.

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Comments

Looking forward to the events planned in 2022 to celebrate this 50 year milestone for the Lilley family. Congratulations to a most deserving family for all the hard work undertaken on their horse farm & in the community. Over the years, many people have benefited from their amazing, generous friendship, including us. We look forward to coming for a visit.

Best Wishes
Jack Foran & Martha McBurnie

I have only have visited Mac's farm one day in my life, (MAY, 1989. ), but always remember it because 8 hours later the first horse I ever owned a percent of -( Mack Sennett ) won
@ Mohawk raceway ($11.00) Trained by Cal Campbell. Maybe good fortune followed me down the 401?? Mac was organizing a shares - syndicate of two year old babies (six I believe, ) and I was there for a first look-see.

Looking forward to the online tour.
I'm sure it will be excellent as everything Mac Lilley Farms does is top notch.

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