Mandy Pope grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina where her love for horses began by riding ponies and showing hunters by the age of seven. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. After graduation her involvement and love of show horses brought her to Ocala, Florida where she continued showing.

The show horse connection introduced her to the Thoroughbred industry, which she found to be a fascinating business that could be profitable. She bought a 55-acre farm in 1982 and named it Whisper Hill Farm after one of her favorite show horses “Blue Whisper.” She bought one mare and two weanlings, and the business began.

Ms. Pope is on the board of directors of Variety Wholesalers Inc., which is a family-owned business of discount stores. Ms. Pope is also on the board of directors of the John Williams Pope Foundation, which is based in North Carolina and provides grants supporting public policy, education, human services, and the arts, including organizations like the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Ms. Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm has grown in size and number with an emphasis on quality as a commercial breeder and racing stable. She has acquired some of the top broodmare prospects in the industry such as Havre De Grace and Songbird and is realizing returns on that investment through their progeny at the racetrack and sales. Whisper Hill Farm has become one of the premier organizations in the industry with successes at breeding, buying, selling, and racing.