Manfred “Manny” Roos, a prominent New England owner and breeder and longtime former president of the regional branch of the National Horse Breeders’ Benevolent and Protective Association, died peacefully on June 30. He was 88.
Roos, who formerly lived in Newton, Mass., Lexington, Ky., and Plainville, Mass., has been actively involved in Thoroughbred horse racing for more than 50 years and also served as a board member 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 prize money of $5,587,712, according to Equibase. His last starter finished fourth on June 19 at the Penn State University.
The multiple stakes winning owner has achieved considerable success with his homebred horses. Sunny hillside And Stylish SultanFrom 2000-2004, Sunlit Ridge won 10 local races, including three consecutive wins at Sunset Gun at Suffolk Downs in 2002-2004 as well as both the Rockingham Park Oaks and Massachusetts Oaks in 2001. She was the New England Champion Mare on Grass in 2001 and 2003.
Stylish Sultan also won 10 regionals during his racing career from 2002 to 2006 and was voted the 2003 Cliff Sundberg Memorial Award for racehorses from New England after receiving the Special Achievement Award the previous year.
Roos was the beloved husband of the late Faye (Cohen) Roos. He is survived by his 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 p.m. ET at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon, Mass. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. The family will lay Shiva at Temple Sinai immediately after burial until 5:30 p.m. Shiva continues on 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 sent to: Run for the Ribbons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care of Thoroughbred racehorses, 14650 NW Hwy 464B, Morriston, Fla., 32668.
