Loretta Brasher, longtime Executive Director of the Arizona Quarter Horse Racing Association, will retire in May 2026 following decades of service to the state’s racing program.

© courtesy AQRA

By StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ–APRIL 25, 2026–Executive Director Loretta Brasher, a longtime leader and steady presence in Arizona Quarter Horse racing, will step away from her role in May 2026, closing out a tenure that has quietly shaped the state’s racing program for decades.

A fixture within the Arizona Quarter Horse Racing Association for decades, Brasher has served as the link between horsemen, racetracks, and regulators, helping keep the state’s racing program on steady ground.

Her work has largely taken place behind the scenes, centered on communication, organization, and advocacy—areas critical to keeping the program operating year after year.

Her contributions did not go unnoticed. Brasher was honored with the Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award in 2016, recognizing individuals whose impact on Quarter Horse racing extends beyond the spotlight.

The following year, she was inducted into the AQRA Hall of Fame during the association’s annual awards banquet at Rillito Race Park in Tucson.

Brasher’s impact spans youth development, scholarship programs, fundraising efforts, and ongoing promotion of Arizona racing. She became involved with AQHRA leadership in 1998 after fellow horsemen encouraged her to take on a larger role within the organization.

Originally from Arkansas, Brasher moved to Arizona as a child, but had no early involvement in horses. She entered the industry after marrying her husband Wayne Brasher in 1980 and became active in the couple’s racing operation.

The Brashers developed a successful stable that included multiple stakes wins. Their standout runner, Pies Raring Request SI 102, won 26 of 54 starts, earned $222,359, finished second in the Champion of Champions, and compiled a 14-race win streak.

Following Wayne Brasher’s death in 2011, she remained active in the industry and continued her work with AQRA despite personal and later health challenges.

Her career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to keeping Arizona racing organized and represented. Her retirement marks the end of a decades-long tenure that helped support the structure of the state’s Quarter Horse program.

AQRA President Lloyd Yother reflected on Brasher’s influence and lasting impact on the organization.

“On behalf of myself and everyone involved with the Arizona Quarter Racing and Breeding Association, I want to say thank you to Loretta for the years of service as our Executive Director, mentor, and friend. Loretta has been a force for the AQRA. Her dedication, hard work, and deep love for the Quarter Horse industry has grown our organization into what it is now. I'm incredibly grateful for Loretta's support, guidance, and friendship over the years.

“Our membership will miss her the most. Her willingness to listen and help in all situations has made her someone loved by all. As Loretta heads into retirement, I wish her a happy retirement. While she is stepping away from the day-to-day duties, I know she'll remain an important part of the AQRA.

“Thank you, Loretta, for everything,” Yother concluded.

The AQRA will host a surprise recognition luncheon in her honor on April 27, 2026, at Turf Paradise, giving horsemen and industry participants an opportunity to acknowledge her contributions in person.

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