_The Tyler, Texas resident is considered a "foundation breeder" of Arabians, with a line-bred Polish program that traces in its entirety to the first imports to this country. He was a pioneer in the development of Arabian racing and was the first chairman of the International Arabian Racing Committee, which established this sport in the late 1950s.


In 2001, Cassel and his wife, Martha, were honored with the Arabian Breeders Association Lifetime Breeders Award.