from the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — We have learned the sad news of the passing of Michael Parisi, 51, owner and general manager of White Birch Farm in Allentown, N.J., on Dec. 5, 2015.

White Birch, founded by the late Joe and Marie Parisi, is an 800-acre facility in Allentown, N.J., and is home to nearly 100 broodmares and also serves as one of the premier training centers in Central New Jersey.

White Birch Farm was honored as the Breeder of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association in both 2012 and 2013. In 2013, the selection was unanimous as the farm bred both Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous and Horse of the Year Bee A Magician.

Both of the 2013 honorees as Broodmares of the Year are owned by White Birch — trotting mare Beehive (dam of Bee A Magician) and pacing mare Worldly Treasure (dam of Captaintreacherous).

The Breeders Committee of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey honored White Birch Farms as New Jersey Breeder of the Year three times: 2004, 2011 and 2013.

The White Birch Hall of Fame also includes $2.9 million earner Darlin’s Delight, $2.3 million earner My Little Dragon, $1.9 million earner Worldly Beauty, $1.3 million earner Island Fantasy and $1.3 million earner Hot Lead.

In addition to the breeding facility, White Birch offers a training center with 11 barns and housing for 300 horses.

No funeral information is currently available.