Manfred Roos, long-time NEHBPA President, dies at the age of 88

Manfred “Manny” Roos, a well-known horse owner and breeder in New England and longtime president of the regional chapter of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, died peacefully on June 30. He was 88 years old.

Roos, formerly of Newton, Mass., Lexington, Ky., and Plainville, Mass., was active in Thoroughbred racing for over 50 years and also served on the board of the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

His horses, trained primarily by John Rigattieri, the late Arthur Duffy, Arthur Duffy Jr. and his son Barry Roos, made 1,980 starts with a record of 361-313-310 and $5,587,712 in prize money, according to Equibase statistics. His last starter finished fourth on June 19 at Penn National.

The multiple stakes winner had great success with horses he bred himself Sunlit ridge And Stylish Sultan. From 2000 to 2004, Sunlit Ridge won 10 local stakes races, including three consecutive editions of the Sunset Gun at Suffolk Downs in 2002 to 2004 and both the Rockingham Park Oaks and the Massachusetts Oaks in 2001. She was the New England Champion Turf Mare in 2001 and 2003.

Stylish Sultan also won ten regional races during his track career from 2002 to 2006 and received the Cliff Sundberg Memorial Award for New England-bred horses in 2003 after receiving the Special Achievement Award the previous year.

Roos was the beloved husband of the late Faye (Cohen) Roos. He is survived by children Pamela Friedman Ross, Stacy Roos and Barry Roos, seven grandchildren and his brother Norman Roos.

Funeral services will be held on July 2 at 1:00 p.m. ET at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon, Mass. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. The family will hold shiva at Temple Sinai immediately following the interment until 5:30 p.m. The shiva will continue on July 3 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the home of Pamela and Robert Ross.

Donations in Manny’s memory may be made to Run for the Ribbons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the aftercare of Thoroughbred racehorses, 14650 NW Hwy 464B, Morriston, Fla., 32668.