Members of the Texas racing industry are showing strong support for LOPE Texas, a nonprofit racehorse placement program, by joining the LOPE Founders Circle. When complete, the newly-created Founders Circle will consist of ten VIP donors, each contributing $8,000 annually to LOPE to provide the foundation for its ongoing programs.

Although just recently launched, the Founders Circle already has five of the ten slots full.

“We have been so impressed with the generous support from Texas racing,” said Lynn Reardon, Executive Director of LOPE. “We didn’t expect to see such an immediate response to our early invitations. It’s inspiring to know that so many people in racing care about the racehorses and value the important role LOPE plays in finding these magnificant athletes great new careers.”

LOPE’s vision for the Founders Circle membership is to have broad representation from Texas racing – from racetrack to trainer to owner to breeder to jockey. The first five members of LOPE’s Founders Circle are: Robert and Janice McNair (Stonerside Stables), John Moritz (racehorse owner in Arlington, TX and longtime LOPE supporter), Frances Tapp (owner, Manor Downs Racetrack and the very first Founder to join), Retama Park, and the Texas Horsemen’s Assistance Fund, Inc. (THAFI, which provides medical, dental and vision assistance, as well as other programs, for horsemen who live and work in the stable areas of Texas racetracks).

“We are pleased to support LOPE’s wonderful organization and its work in educating the public about racing and ex-racehorses and in providing ex-racehorses with new careers and opportunities,” said Robert and Janice McNair of Stonerside Stables.

Marsha Rountree of the Texas Horsemen’s Assistance Fund commented, “THAFI was one of the first supporters of LOPE and is proud to continue our relationship with this worthwhile organization."

LOPE Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to providing new careers for retiring ex-racehorses of all breeds in Texas. It does this through its popular website (www.lopetx.org) and a ranch adoption and rehabilitation center near Austin, Texas. Since 2003, LOPE has helped over 585 Texas ex-racehorses transition into new homes after their racing careers ended.

For more information on the Founders Circle or LOPE Texas, contact LOPE Executive Director Lynn Reardon, at lynn@lopetx.org or (512) 565.1824.