Meet Our New Founder, Mandy Pope

Meet Our New Founder, Mandy Pope

We warmly welcome Mandy Pope and her Whisper Hill Farm as a Horse Farms Forever Founding Member

For over 30 years, Mandy Pope has given the term “girl power” a whole new meaning in the Thoroughbred racing industry as she continuously makes the headlines. From an early age, it was apparent that Mandy would pursue a lifelong love of horses. She bought her first horse, Blue Whisper, as a high-school student at St. Mary’s School in Raleigh. In 1980, her ambition of breeding, selling, training, and racehorses led her to Ocala where she now owns and operates the world-renowned Whisper Hill Farm.

Throughout her 30+ year career in the Thoroughbred industry, Mandy has bred many fan favorites, such as Grade 1 winner and millionaire, Tizway. Pope co-owns a family-grown business with her brother, Art: North Carolina-based Variety Wholesalers, which operates discount retailers in the south. Today, Pope owns more than 100 horses varying from youngsters, broodmares, and racing stock as well as a group of retirees.

Pope, who credits herself as being highly competitive, continues to shatter sale venue records, purchasing some of the most superbly bred horses in the world. In 2012, she made history when she bought 2011 Horse of the Year Havre De Grace at the Fasig Tipton November Sale for a record $10 million, the next day purchasing Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty for $4.2 million.

Whisper Hill teamed up with Goldmark Farm, LLC. to campaign winner Mylute, who was third in the Preakness Stakes and runner up in the 2013 Louisiana Derby. Whisper Hill also purchased champion female sprinter Groupie Doll for a cool $3.1 million in late 2013 and campaigned for her last start to close out her remarkable racing career before sending her to the breeding shed. In 2019 Pope’s Whisper Hill purchased an American Pharoah filly for $8.2 million at the Keenland September yearling sale who is the half-sister to champion racemare Beholder.

When asked “What is your favorite thing about the Thoroughbred Sport?”

Pope replies

“The greatest thrill and the reason for all of this is to actually put your hands on the horse, to be in the presence of the horse. It’s the horse. That’s what it’s about. The parties are great and fun, but just the excitement of being a part of such a wonderful creature.”

Pope is also well known for her chartable and philanthropic efforts with a passion for giving back to those on the backstretch and farmworkers. She is a founding Board Member, Secretary, and Treasurer of the John William Pope Foundation. The John William Pope Foundation is a grant maker based in Raleigh, North Carolina, which has awarded large amounts to Thoroughbred related nonprofits. The John William Pope Foundation supports nonprofit public policy research, education, human services, and the arts with the goal of improving the wellbeing of North Carolinians. Since 1986, the foundation has given more than $170 million to these causes.

References:

Tizway

Havre de Grace

Mylute

Songbird, with her filly by Arrogate

Horse Farms Forever Gains a New Founder

Horse Farms Forever Gains a New Founder

Every new member gives us deeper roots. We welcome the following new and renewing individuals and businesses who support open spaces and beautiful places.

New Founders

 

Mandy Pope breeds and races horses under the name Whisper Hill Farm. The breeder of horses such as Tizway has been in the thoroughbred business for 30 years and is a lifelong horsewoman.

Thank you, Mandy Pope, for joining Horse Farms Forever’s strong group of Founders. We are thrilled to have you with us.

Renewing Founders

de Meric Thoroughbred Sales Ocala Marion County Founder Horse Farms Forever

Nic & Jacqui de Meric

Founders, 2018-2020

 

 

John & Leslie Malone

Bridlewood Farm

John & Leslie Malone,
George Isaacs
Founders, 2018 – 2020

 

John & Leslie Malone

Dave Quanbeck & Ann Lindblad

Founders, 2018, 2020

 

Renewing Charter Members

Niall Brennan Farm Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County

Autumn Schweiss Eventing

Renewing Charter 2018 & 2020

 

Phyllis Harlow                            Renewing 2019 & 2020

Corporate Members

Niall Brennan Farm Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County
world-equestrian-center-ocala-florida

Golden Ocala 

World Equestrian Center

Renewing Corporate Founder 2018-2020

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World®. World Equestrian Center is what puts it on the map. World Equestrian Center’s world-class event grounds and exquisite World Equestrian Estates offer unparalleled access to Ocala’s horse country.

Showcase Properties

Renewing Charter, 2019-2020

Your source for Ocala, Marion County and Central Florida real estate services. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, farm, or land, Showcase Properties has the resources you need: luxury homes, country club living, equestrian, waterfront, farms, and more.

More New Friends

Cathy Barnes

Carol Briant

Judy Greenberg

 

Large and small, thanks to all!

Corporate Membership

Looking for a way to promote your business throughout the equine community? Becoming a Horse Farms Forever Corporate Member gives you access to our members in Ocala/Marion County and beyond.  Donating to Horse Farms Forever, a registered 501(c)3 with the IRS, reaches our members, friends, and subscribers though our newsletters, social media, advertising, and events.  To learn more or to join please contact our Director of Community Affairs,
Sara Fennessy 

Always Watching

We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members' interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.