Houston-born Stanley Beard purchased his first horse in 1947. Beard served on the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) board of directors from 1986 to 2000 and served as president of the TTA from 1988 to 1989. Beard was one of only three people to receive all three major awards presented by the TTA. Beard also served on the Breeder’s Cup board of directors and the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame board. Beard served as president of the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. In addition to breeding and racing, Beard was also involved in dairy farming, feed sales, and real estate. Beard’s contributions to Texas horse racing were only surpassed by his knowledge of the sport and the stories he was known to tell about the horsemen involved and the horses he owned.