LNJ Foxwoods Co-Founder Larry Roth Dies at 75

Larry Roth, co-founder of the successful family-owned LNJ Foxwoods racing and breeding operation, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, died Sept. 27, according to multiple media reports and people close to the family. He was 75. "My heart is broken. Love you forever. No race, winner circles, Saratoga visits, and much more will be the same. I cannot imagine life without you. The industry you fell in love with will deeply miss your presence. No question FOXIEST won for you yesterday," stated a post on LNJ Foxwoods X.com account. Foxiest is an LNJ Foxwoods homebred 2-year-old daughter of Gun Runner out of the stable's champion Covefe, who won her second start Sept. 27 at Churchill Downs by 3 3/4 lengths. Larry Roth made his fortune as a co-founder of Marchon Eyewear, which he sold in 2008 and retained an executive position to manage the company. In 2012, Roth and his wife Nanci jumped into Thoroughbred ownership at the urging of their daughter Jaime, who had become attracted to the sport through the reality show "Jockeys" and captivated by the exceptional exploits of Rachel Alexandra. They went on to make a splash at the sales, buying several seven-figure horses through bloodstock agents Alex Solis II and Jason Litt with a focus on female horses that were later retired to the family's broodmare band. The Roths have enjoyed tremendous success together, having raced 49 black-type stakes winners that include 23 graded stakes winners. The cream of the LNJ Foxwoods stable includes 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Country House, who they co-owned with Maury Shields and her nephew Guinness McFadden Jr.; 2019 champion 3-year-old filly and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Covfefe; and grade 1 winners Olympiad, Lighthouse, Constellation, and Nickname. As breeders, the Roths have produced graded/group winners Land Legend, Ancient Wisdom, Luck and Earhart among 27 black-type performers. The family has been equally engaged in horse welfare issues, establishing in 2016 a "Horses First Fund," with Thoroughbred Charities of America initially to assist horses abandoned in Mercer County, Kentucky. Since then, the fund has provided support for more than 1,000 horses in the aftermath of hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and for stables threatened and damaged by wildfires in California. LNJ Foxwoods was honored as the 2016 New Owner of the Year by OwnerView, an ownership resource created by The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The award is given to a new Thoroughbred owner who has been successful in the sport and has had a positive impact on the industry. The Roths have been equally supportive of humanitarian causes outside racing. Larry and Nanci Roth were honored in 2018 by Long Island's Hospice Care Network with its George W. Frank Chairman's Award as major donors to Northwell Health's North Shore University Hospital, Mid-Island YJCC, United Jewish Appeal, North Shore Child Guidance, and the Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch in Napa, Calif. Their involvement began after Nanci's mother was on hospice care in Florida, according to the Long Island Press. "Entrepreneurism has always been in my blood and it was important for me to continue this with my children," said Larry Roth upon receiving the award. "It has been a joy for both Nanci and I to work with our children and hopefully the success in our ventures will allow our children to continue the charitable work that is so important to our family." According to Thoroughbred Daily News, Roth is survived by Nanci, Jaime, his sons, David and Scott, and his grandchildren, Liv and Poppy.