Suzie O’Cain, one of the most famous and unique figures in the Thoroughbred industry in New York and the manager of Carl Lizza’s Highcliff Ranch in Delanson for 23 years with her husband Dr. C. Lynwood’ Doc ‘ O’Cain, died January 4 in Saratoga Springs after a battle with breast cancer.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin and raised in Mississippi, Suzie O’Cain attended state university in Oxford and later graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Ohio State University.
“We met in Louisiana and got married in Louisiana,” says Doc O’Cain. “She showed the Precious Horse in Louisiana and knew nothing about Crossbreeds. I did some purebred veterinary work in Louisiana and when we moved here she was into purebreds. ”
O’Cains moved to the Northeast in 1985 when Doc O’Cain came to work at Everett and Gustave Schoenborn Sr’s Schoenborn Brothers Ranch. at Coxsackie, who at the time was leading the Cormorant and Talc of New York. Doc O’Cain has also worked at Gus Schoenborn, Jr.’s The Contemporary Stallions, where the roster includes Ends Well, Double Negative and others.
O’Cains’ association with Highcliff began in 1989, and during their time with Lizza, the pair made key important contributions to the success of the Flying Zee Stable breeding and racing programs. O’Cains maintained their involvement in breeding and stallion programs in New York after Lizza’s death in 2011 and managed and marketed stallions under the Saratoga Stallions banner.
“When we were at Highcliff, she co-managed everything with me,” says Doc O’Cain. “She does all the office work, all the advertising, all the stallion promotions, ordering stallions. She is an important part of the operation and its success. ”
Suzie O’Cain has served in the industry in a variety of capacities, including as a member of the Mature Retirement Fund Board of Directors from 2003 until this past August. She is also co-chair of the New York Purebred Breeders Political Action Committee and chair of the NYTB’s Communications Committee.
O’Cain is also the founder of Find A Cure Sable to advocate for horses to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She is the host of a show called ‘Suzie’s Corner’ which airs on the New York City and Capital OTB networks. O’Cain interviewed prominent women in the Thoroughbred industry and was honored in 2003 at the Governor’s mansion in Albany during a Women’s History Month reception in recognition of Pioneer Women of the Region Capital.
“Suzie is a very unique person, a very intelligent person,” said Doc O’Cain. “And she has the personality to match it. She can walk into a room and take over it. “
Plans for a memorial and/or longevity celebration, most likely in August at Saratoga Racecourse, are pending. Suzie can donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Doc O’Cain, Find a stable cure, Highcliff Farm, New York, New York Thoroughbred Breeders ‘University of Mississippi, Obituary, Ohio State University, Suzie O’Cain, Mature retirement fund.
