RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 19, 2014—A memorial service for longtime New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association trustee Rita J. Danley of Anthony will be held on Thursday, August 21, in the winner’s circle at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

Danley, age 67, passed away suddenly at Providence Memorial Hospital on Saturday (Aug. 16) of cancer.

The service will begin at 11 a.m. (MDT) and be followed by a reception in the track’s All American Turf Club.

Danley was an accomplished racehorse owner who primarily campaigned her own homebreds, which were trained by her husband of 49 years, Fred Danley. The Danleys met at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack in the early 1960s, when Rita was working as a mutuel clerk and in the track kitchen, and Fred was an assistant trainer for his father, Ike Danley.

In her own name, she owned the earners of more than $2.6 million and bred the earners of more than $3.8 million. Her runners included the likes of homebred Restricted Grade 1 winners Rabbit Revival and On Star Cowboy, as well as restricted graded stakes winners Cowgirl Cadilac, Ofashionsoutherngirl and Grit And Glamour, and graded stakes winner Cowboy Jackpot. She also bred 14-time stakes winner Namehimastreaker, who made 100 career starts in his $629,399-earning career.

The third oldest of six children, Danley was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and attended school in Chickasha, Oklahoma. In addition to being an NMHBA board member, she also served on the board of the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association.

In addition to her husband, Danley is survived by two adult children and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Treatment Center, Attn: Justin Schroer, Director of Development, 1201 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Memorial gifts may also be sent online at www.UNMfund.org.

Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912, is handling funeral services.