Temperatures in Lexington didn’t rise to 50 degrees until nearly 9 a.m. on November 2, and nearly all of the above Keeneland backstretch wears a light jacket or sweater. This is in contrast to one individual, the former president and co-founder of Glaceau (the maker of Vitamin water), who wears a t-shirt and shorts in the summer.
Nothing can cool Thoroughbred owner Mike Repole these days.
This summer, New York-born Repole, 53, teamed up with Donegal Racing to win the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) with Mo Donegal , fulfilling his lifelong dream of winning at the track for which he developed a love for the sport. Repole, in fact, ran 1-2 in Belmont when Nest owned by a partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, took place the title.
For Nest and the other companies in his stable, it’s just the beginning of the success to Repole Stable over the next five months. Nest scored three 1st graders in a row, and its two underage students, Forte (owned with St. Elias Stable) and Chocolate Gelato scored two highest stake wins and one such win respectively.
All three attended the Breeders’ Cup as top players. Nest was favored 9-5 on the morning road to win the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), Chocolate Gelato was ranked as a 7-2 light favorite in NetJets Breeders’ Cup Fillies (G1), and Forte was rated a 4-1 second favorite in FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).
The Chocolate Gelato and Forte race on the Future Star on Friday, November 4, and the next Nest on November 5.
“I have three simple goals in racing: win, have fun and share in the success,” Repole said in an interview outside coach Todd Pletcher’s cage at Keeneland. “I love doing all three. it will be great; and if we choose 1 to 3 it will also be great. And honestly, in the grand scheme of life, if we choose 0 to 3 , it would be great too.”
Mike Repole (gray shirt) chats with the horseman and the media in the barn area
Nothing chilled his enthusiasm on Wednesday morning. He credits his avid shopping spree this summer – saying he’s bought a hundred horses – even though it’s his active runners that are grabbing his attention during the week. this.
He is not alone. His 7-year-old daughter Gioia seems to enjoy getting to the track as much as her dad, hugging Nest, the steady star, and feeding her mints.
Watch: Repole Discussing Nest, Other Breeders’ Cup Starters
“I asked Gioia what her favorite part of the track was. She said winner’s circle,” he noted. “So she’s like her father, because that’s my favorite part, by the way.”
He visited it regularly, including at the Breeders’ Cup. Cooperation with St. Elias Stable, Repole Stable won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2019 with Vino Rosso then another memorable win as his incredibly talented 2 year old boy Uncle Mo won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile championship. Both horses were later named champions.
“Listen, I used to joke that I did this with 5% of my time. Now I say I’m doubling, so I’m doing it with 10% of my time,” he said. he said. “Listen, older, been in the game for 12 years – Uncle Mo, can’t believe he won the 2010 Minor – seems like a long time.”
Despite steady growth, Repole is not yet ready to make horse racing its sole area of focus.
“If I were to go full-time in horse racing, I’d have to get another job soon,” he said.
Other than that, he’s having too much fun enjoying the sport as it is.
