Manfred "Manny" Roos, a prominent owner and breeder in New England and the former longtime president of the regional chapter of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, died peacefully June 30. He was 88.
Roos, formerly of Newton, Mass., Lexington, Ky., and Plainville, Mass., was actively involved in Thoroughbred racing for more than 50 years and also served on the board of the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
His horses, which were 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 purse earnings of $5,587,712, according to Equibase statistics. His final starter finished fourth June 19 at Penn National.
The multiple stakes-winning owner enjoyed considerable success with homebreds Sunlit Ridge and Stylish Sultan. From 2000-2004 Sunlit Ridge won 10 local stakes races, including three consecutive editions of the Sunset Gun at Suffolk Downs in 2002-04 as well as both the Rockingham Park Oaks and Massachusetts Oaks in 2001. She was the New England champion turf mare in 2001 and 2003.
Stylish Sultan also won 10 regional stakes in his career on the track from 2002-2006 and was voted the 2003 Cliff Sundberg Memorial Award for New England-breds 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 brother Norman Roos.
Funeral services will be held July 2 at 1 p.m. ET at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon, Mass. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. The family will sit Shiva at Temple Sinai immediately following the burial until 5:30 p.m. Shiva continues July 3 from 4 p.m. to 8 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 dedicated to the aftercare of Thoroughbred racehorses, 14650 NW Hwy 464B, Morriston, Fla., 32668.
