Congratulations Mike DePaulo on 1000 Career Wins

Toronto-born trainer Mike DePaulo reached a milestone in his career on March 21 at Gulfstream Park in Florida when his trainee Pop Rox won a maiden race, giving DePaulo his 1,000th career victory.

Fittingly, Pop Rox, an Ontario bred filly, is owned by one of DePaulo's longtime clients, Rob Marzilli.

Pop Rox was adding blinkers and seven-pound apprentice rider Micah Husbands for the win in the 5 1/2 furlong dirt dash. DePaulo who usually has a small stable in Florida during the winter, had been sitting on 999 wins since late in the 2024 Woodbine season.

“This last one has taken forever. It’s just nice to get it done,” said DePaulo, who was in the winner's circle with his son Joseph, who is an integral part of the stable. Mike's wife Josie is already back in Toronto preparing their Woodbine stable for the new season. “This is a good owner and I am just happy to win anytime.”

DePaulo learned the ropes of working with Thoroughbreds through a few trainers he worked for in the 1980s such as Joe Attard and Jerry Meyer. He took out his trainer's license in 1986 and steadily made his way up the trainer's list. He has trained two millionaires, Pender Harbour and Krz Ruckus. Pender Harbour was the 2011 Champion 3-year-old male at the Sovereign Awards and a fan favourite.

One of DePaulo's best horses was 2016 Horse of the Year and Champion 3-year-old filly Caren, one of the first horses owned by Marzilli. DePaulo purchased the daughter of Society's Chairman for $45,000 US for his owner and she went on to earn over $820,000.

“We’ve had some good horses along the way. We had a Horse of the Year and been fortunate to win some big races,” DePaulo said. “They all count. Everybody works hard. I’m just happy to get here.”