Elizabeth “Liza” Samuel, who co-founded Sam-Son Farm with her late husband, Ernie, and helped turn it into one of North American racing’s most recognizable owner-breeder operations, died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer and emphysema. She was 74.

Samuel succeeded her husband as chairman of Sam-Son Farm and the family businesses—Canadian-based Samuel Manu-Tech Inc., a diversified manufacturing company, and Samuel, Son & Co., a steel and aluminum distribution business founded in 1855.
 
Sam-Son’s most prominent runners include 1991 Canadian Horse of the Year Dance Smartly, who also won the Eclipse Award that year as champion three-year-old filly. A Sam-Son homebred, the ‘91 Canadian Triple Crown winner and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner was euthanized last summer.

Sam-Son also raced 1997 champion grass horse and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Chief Bearhart, who was the Canadian Horse of the Year in ’97 and ’98. Sam-Son, which has won more than 60 Sovereign Awards, also bred 2007 leading sire Smart Strike.

A graduate of Trinity College, University of Toronto, Samuel was a dedicated philanthropist through the Samuel Family Foundation to health care, cultural, and academic sectors. In 2002, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded to Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.

Samuel was a former chairman of the Royal Ontario Museum board of trustees and former co-chair of the Royal Ontario Museum Foundation board of governors.

Ernie Samuel died in 2000. The Samuel’s daughter, Tammy Samuel-Balaz, died in January after a long battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held at Glen Oaks Memorial Chapel in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, from 6-9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday and 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday. A private family funeral will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Royal Ontario Museum or to a cancer care organization of choice.