Daryl T. Glazer passed away on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, at the age of 62.
Daryl, born on July 12, 1961 in Montreal, Que., was the son of Bennie and Shirley Glazer. He proudly became a United States citizen in 2014, not long after legally marrying his husband, Chris Yochim. Their remarkable 30-year journey together began in 1994.
At the young age of five, Daryl’s passion for horses ignited when his mother sent him to camp. In an effort to steer him away from his father’s fervor for Standardbred racehorses, she instructed the camp instructor to put him on the wildest horse they had.
One of the most cherished memories of Daryl is captured in a photograph from the winner’s circle, taken at the famous Hippodrome du Montreal (Blue Bonnets) in December of 1969. This victory marked the end of Pancho Boy’s racing career, and Bennie promised Daryl the horse if he could train him for riding. Just six months later, at the age of eight, Daryl was barrel racing Poncho Boy under saddle at local shows. Following his equine studies at Humber College, he briefly partnered with movie studios, providing horses for the Canadian film industry while simultaneously competing in the Hunter Jumper circuit.
During his racing career, Daryl was associated with several harness racing stables. He served as the second trainer for Raz MacKinzie Stable in Canada during the late 1980s, eventually shipping and racing at the Meadowlands, where he was introduced to the U.S. circuit. This experience included his participation in the team that campaigned the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trotter, Westgate Crown. In 1990, Daryl joined Ritchie Silverman’s Stable in Freehold, New Jersey, where he became an integral part of the Silverman family. His responsibilities grew, leading to significant team achievements as the trainer of record for Too Much Trouble, who set a world pacing record for aged mares in 1994, and Die Laughing, who equalled the world record for pacing colts in the 1991 Woodrow Wilson. In 2003, in partnership with his husband Chris, Daryl moved to the Delaware circuit, where they achieved numerous memorable milestones, including Early Shirley setting the U.S. record for aged mares at Dover Downs in January 2010, and Mondello winning the Delaware Sire Stakes two-year-old trotting elimination and final in 2015. Daryl’s legacy as a trainer continues with Mondello’s first crop racing in 2023 Delaware Sire Stakes.
On Columbus Day in 1994, Chris and Daryl’s lives took a significant turn when they met at the Sunday Tea Dance at the Raven in New Hope, Pennsylvania. By February, they were a couple, with their first memorable date at the Garden State Park Race Track in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In 2003, Daryl and Chris purchased their farm in Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania, naming it Easy Rider Stable (ERS). Daryl embarked on a small breeding program, marked by the early success of Early Shirley, born two weeks ahead of schedule on his late mother Shirley’s birthday, earning her name.
In addition to his passion for racing, Daryl rekindled his love for Warmblood show horses, particularly Dressage. He took immense pleasure in riding, competing and expanding his breeding program to include Warmblood horses designed for the highest levels of Olympic-caliber disciplines. His foundation mare, the KWPN (Dutch) mare Nathalia, the only daughter of the Olympic stallion Cocktail in the U.S., brought him success with her offspring at prestigious events like Dressage at Devon Breed Show. Some of his notable horses included Cosmopolitan ERS and Krown Royal Thyme. Daryl also generously shared his expertise, helping others with their riding technique and young horses at regional shows.
Nathalia’s daughter, Gobsmacked (by Beste Gold), owned by his dear friend Wendy Staub, carried on his legacy. Her first colt, Krown Royal Thyme ERS, achieved consecutive victories at the Dressage At Devon Breeding Show for Arab Warmblood Crosses. Just recently, Krown won two Reserve Champion titles and seven Top 10 Awards at the 2023 Sport Horse Nationals, under new ownership and training, just days before Daryl’s passing. Daryl possessed a keen ability to identify suitable breeding prospects and unique pedigrees, bridging the worlds of show horses and Standardbred trotting racehorses. Gobsmacked’s second filly, named Ohh La La ERS, has also garnered accolades, under the guidance of Rick Silva and ownership by The Dream Syndicate, a testament to Daryl’s foresight and dedication.
In March 2023, Daryl received a diagnosis of AML Leukemia but achieved remission following treatment at the Helen Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care. He was subsequently approved for a bone marrow transplant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, he succumbed to severe complications on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. In his final hours, Daryl had the opportunity to watch his youngest two-year-old Delaware Sire Stakes filly, La Bella Mondello, race at Harrington Raceway. With tears of joy and sadness, he was well aware that his future dreams were fading with his health. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by the bone marrow transplant team at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Daryl was preceded in death by his parents Bennie and Shirley Glazer, and his brother Earl and sister Debbie. Daryl is survived by his husband of 30 years, Chris Yochim and their beloved dogs Bacchus and Dauphine. Family survivors include his brother-in-law Al Yochim (Gayle Hamilton) and sister-in-law Debbie Moore of Meridian Mississippi. Among the extended Glazer family in Canada, his uncle Henry and aunt Susan Glazer, Ricky Glazer, aunt Barbara Glazer along with 45 first cousins and over 150 other cousins. From Australia, his beloved aunt and uncle Diane and Richard Roberts, who visited the farm on several occasions, and their children Andrea (Simon) and Rick. After moving to Pennsylvania, Daryl also reunited with his New Jersey cousins Marty and Leslie Simboli at their daughter Samara’s Bat Mitzvah, and over the years, shared fun times together at Devon Horse Show, Thanksgiving and summer visits to Amish Country & Ocean City. Samara was the ring bearer for Daryl and Chris’ wedding in 2013.
Throughout his life, Daryl was blessed to have many important people who influenced his career and nurtured his well-being. Most notably, he had dear and devoted friends Dr. Martha Hosford and her husband Bill Skapof. Martha not only treated and saved Daryl following his first bout of lymphoma in 2013 but also shared his profound love for horses. Their shared experiences at shows and their deep connection made them soulmates. In this world, very few people have affected so many human and equine lives in such a positive and life affirming way as Daryl. May his memory be a blessing to all who loved him.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday Oct. 27 at Kennett Square Country Club from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friends planning to attend should please RSVP to [email protected].
Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square, PA.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Daryl Glazer.