Richard Papiese, who along with his wife Karen owned horses as Midwest Thoroughbreds, the leading owner in North America annually by victories from 2010-15, died Dec. 4. He was 65.
Midwest Thoroughbreds won 2,704 races from 10,623 starters from 2003-21, earning more than $52.7 million. Their best statistical year came in 2012, winning 542 races from 1,857 starts and making more than $10.1 million.
Though their stable was comprised mainly of claiming and allowance horses, two stakes horses highlighted the accomplishments of Midwest Thoroughbreds. In 2014, Work All Week nearly went undefeated, won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park, and was named champion male sprinter for the year. The next year, Midwest Thoroughbreds' The Pizza Man won the Arlington Million XXXIII Stakes (G1T) and two other graded stakes while finishing second in another grade 1.
Midwest Thoroughbreds regularly competed at defunct Arlington International Race Course in Illinois.
After the Arlington Million win from The Pizza Man, Papiese said, "I can't describe how happy I am. That was more emotional than the Breeders' Cup for us because of what it means. I know it's tough times right now in Illinois, so I hope we can help turn the tide."
Their success helped launch the riding career of jockey Florent Geroux, who was often in the saddle for Midwest Thoroughbreds and trainer Roger Brueggemann. The latter died in 2020.
Some other trainers employed by Midwest Thoroughbreds included Tom Amoss, Armando De La Cerda, Brad Cox, Carol Fisher, Danny Gargan, and Chris Richard.
Papiese, a successful businessman in the Chicago area and from Cedar Lake, Ind., kept a minimal public profile when not visiting the winner's circle. Midwest Thoroughbreds had their final starters in 2021.
Work All Week and The Pizza Man joined the Thoroughbred retirement farm Old Friends in 2020. After an injury forced Work All Week's retirement from racing in 2015, Papiese had the horse and Brueggemann pose for photos promoting the One Last Race retirement program. Work All Week died at Old Friends in 2023.
Before Papiese's death, the businessman dealt with a degenerative illness known as Multiple System Atrophy, a neurological disorder that affects the brain and nervous system.
Besides Karen, Papiese is also survived by his cousin and devoted caregiver Justin Shimkus; his children: Jeanine (Dan) Zajeski, Frank (Andrea) Opiola, and Alan (Jenn) Opiola; and numerous grandchildren and extended family.
Outside of racing, Papiese was co-owner of Midwest Custom Case, a store fixture manufacturing company.
Visitation will occur Dec. 12 from 3-8 p.m. CT at Elmwood Funeral Chapel in St. John, Ind. Funeral services follow the next day at St. John the Evangelist Church in St. John with a mass and burial at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Old Friends, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, or your local police, fire, or ambulance services.
