LOPE Texas announced on November 4 that stallion seasons to Tinner’s Way and Special Rate have been donated for LOPE’s upcoming silent auction November 19 at Sam Houston Race Park’s Texas Champions Day.

“LOPE is doing an outstanding job in their care and placement of retired race horses in Texas. We all have a responsibility to the long term welfare of the horses we breed and race and organizations such as LOPE are essential to the long term health and image of our industry. We are happy to support their upcoming silent auction with a season to both Tinners Way and Special Rate for the 2006 breeding season,” said Phil Leckinger, who along with partner Jerry Hardin own both Tinners Way and have syndicated Special Rate.

Both Tinners Way and Special Rate stand at Key Ranch in Salado, Texas (www.keyranch.com). Tinners Way is a multiple G1 winner and is the leading money earner standing in Texas. He is from the final crop of the immortal Secretariat. Special Rate is a stakes winning son of Pulpit and is a half brother to millionaires Sightseek and Tates Creek.

"We are very honored that seasons to such outstanding stallions have been donated for our event," said Lynn Rorke, LOPE's founder and executive director. "The donation truly exemplifies the Texas Champions theme and also demonstrates the generosity of the Texas
racing community."

LOPE Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to providing new careers for retiring ex-racehorses of all breeds in Texas. It does this through its online services and its ranch adoption center near Austin. Since 2003, LOPE has transitioned 350 Texas ex-racehorses into new homes.

For more information, visit the LOPE Texas website at www.lopetx.org or contact LOPE Executive Director Lynn Rorke, at lynn@lopetx.org or 512.565.1824.