Rich Papiese, a prominent figure in the horse racing world, passed away on Wednesday. He was the co-owner of Midwest Thoroughbreds and had left an indelible mark through his business ventures and love for the sport.

Remembering Rich Papiese, a Horse Racing Icon

Business Ventures and Achievements

Papiese made his mark not only in the racing arena but also in the business world. As the co-owner of Midwest Custom Case, a store fixture producer based in Monee, Ill., he demonstrated his business acumen. In 2003, he and his wife Karen started Midwest Thoroughbreds, and it quickly rose to prominence. From 2009 to 2015, Midwest Thoroughbreds led the nation in wins every year, ranking second in 2009. Their success was remarkable, amassing a record of 10,648 starts with 2,710 wins, 1,846 seconds, and 1,485 thirds, along with over $52 million in earnings.This success was not limited to a particular category. Midwest Thoroughbreds originally made a name for itself in claiming company races. They had a pair of Illinois homebreds who achieved top-level wins. Work All Week upset the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2014, earning an Eclipse Award for the year’s champion sprinter. Midwest Thoroughbreds also bred The Pizza Man, who became the only Illinois-bred winner of the Arlington Million (G1) in 2015 and again won at the top level in the 2016 Northern Dancer Turf (G1) at Woodbine.

Final Farewell and Memorials

Visitation for Rich Papiese is scheduled for Thursday from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. EST at Elmwood Funeral Chapel in St. John, Indiana. The funeral mass will take place next Friday at 11 a.m. EST at St. John the Evangelist Church in St. John, Ind. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Old Friends, New Vocations, or local fire, ambulance, or police departments. These acts of kindness will serve as a lasting tribute to his life and the impact he had on the community.Papiese's death is a significant loss to the horse racing industry and those who knew him. His story is one of determination, success, and a love for the sport that will be remembered for years to come.