Retired trainer/driver Daryl Scott Bier, 57, passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at his home in Endicott, New York.
Mr. Bier, a native of Jessup, Pennsylvania, was born July 14, 1966, to Esther and Arthur Bier. A second-generation harness horseman, Mr. Bier made his career training and driving Standardbred racehorses, beginning in 1987. After 15 years as a journeyman, racing at tracks on both coasts of the United States, he established a home base on the Delaware circuit in the 2000s, where he raced until he was forced to retire in 2021 as a result of complications from a fractured pelvis and spine sustained in a racing accident at Pocono Downs in 2014.
Among Mr. Bier’s most notable trainees were Wind Of The North 4,1:51 ($1,216,509), who raced in the 2015 Elitlopp; world record holders Higher And Higher p,5,1:49.1f ($944,224) and Special T Rocks p,4,1:48.3f ($751,386); Highalator p,5,1:48f ($675,764); Modern Family 4,1:51 ($579,065); and Bandolito p,4,1:48f ($466,095). In addition to his 447 wins as a trainer, Mr. Bier drove the winners of 1,909 races and $14.5 million in purses.
Mr. Bier is survived by his lifelong partner, Jenny; their children, Sebastian, Emily (Jyair Battin) and Matthew; sister, Danyell; brothers, Thomas (Bernadette) and Sean (Crissy Crissman-Bier); nieces, Riley and Chloe; and nephew, Catello Long, and mother-in-law, Annette Björk. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Göran Björk.
Visitation will take place on Friday, Feb. 2 from 4-7 p.m., and a funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., at Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, located at 1003 Church Street, Jessup, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Daryl Bier.