Looking at Repole
Many people in the horse racing industry are involved in the Sport of Kings due to either years of exposure as children that was carried through to adulthood, or because of a lifelong passion that drives them to continue no matter what. But no matter how any of them became a part of the community, they all have one thing in common: the love of horses and the enjoyment of the thrill of horse racing. For Mike Repole, it was a childhood dream which he made reality through hard work, extraordinary marketing skills and his unmatched passion for everything he becomes involved in.
Mike Repole was raised by two loving parents who did their best to provide him with opportunities they never had. Repole took the opportunities he was given and became so successful, that many would describe him as having the Midas touch. Speaking about his childhood and his parents, Repole commented: “They taught me about perseverance and how to handle adversity in life. If you would have rewound their lives 25 years ago, owning racehorses and going to the track is not something we should be doing. I’m just very grateful and happy I’ve gotten to share this experience with them and with my grandmother.”
Even though Repole now has shares and interests in a variety of businesses, he is best known for working hard to get himself to the top of a company called Energy Brands Inc. Energy Brands Inc. later become known Glacéau, which he sold to Coca-Cola for a staggering $4.1 billion in the year 2007.
In 2002, Mike Repole decided to try his hand at horseracing and complete his lifelong dream of owning his own racehorses. Unfortunately, Repole had to learn from defeats and losses, as the Sport of Kings takes patience and perseverance. His first horse was named Da Rodeo Man, but Repole had to wait until 9 October 2010 for his first Grade 1 victory. As Uncle Mo crossed the finish line at the Belmont Park Racecourse in the Champagne Stakes, Repole knew his time in horse racing had arrived.
Now, looking towards the Breeder’s Cup, with not one, but two horses, namely Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty, Repole cannot contain his excitement. With legendary trainer Todd Pletcher at his side, Repole has faith in both contenders, saying: “To make it to the Breeders’ Cup with not one, but two top contenders?! To own the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile?! Fifty percent of me is excited and 50 percent of me is about to puke!”
