Fort Worth-area executive named chairman, CEO of Highlander Training Center

Jeff Hooper 

Longtime Fort Worth executive Jeff Hooper has been named chairman and CEO at Highlander Training Center (HTC), a state-of-the-art Thoroughbred facility located near Sulphur Springs.

Hooper will begin his new duties on July 8, 2019.

Hooper’s experience in the horse industry includes nine years as Executive Director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, three years as Vice President of Administration at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie and 11 years as Executive Director of the National Cutting Horse Association. Hooper comes to HTC after serving as President of Capital H Strategies consulting services for the past seven years. Prior to that he was an executive at the Fort Worth Business Press.

“This is a unique opportunity to be a part of something truly special in the Thoroughbred business,” Hooper said. “Larry Hirsch, “Scooter” Dodwell (President & Head Trainer) and the entire Highlander team are true horsemen and professionals. I am very impressed with their commitment to excellence and the care and training of all the horses that are in the HTC program. I see a very bright future for Highlander, and an opportunity for us to make a positive impact in the industry on a regional, and national basis.”

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“We are extremely excited to bring Jeff on board to lead the HTC team,” said Larry Hirsch, owner of Highlander Training Center. “Our goal since we started construction was to build and operate the premier Thoroughbred training center in the Southwest, and we feel strongly that under Jeff’s leadership we will accomplish that, and more.”

Chairman of the private investment firm Highlander Partners, L.P., Hirsch has been involved in Thoroughbred racing and breeding for the past 15 years, having raced (solely or in partnership) winners of over 300 races with purse earnings in excess of $10 million.

Highlander Training Center (HTC) offers year-around breaking & training of Thoroughbreds on 189 acres outside of Sulphur Springs, approximately 75 miles east of Dallas.