Midwest Thoroughbreds

Incredible success has allowed Richard and Karan Papiese, who founded Midwest Thoroughbreds with two horses in 2001, to give back even more. They support several Thoroughbred retirement programs, including New Vocations, Remember Me Rescue, Galloping Out and Beyond the Roses, and racetrack chaplaincies around the country as well as the Permanent Disabled Jockey Fund. Midwest Thoroughbreds also operates Thunder Ranch Farm in Anthony, Fla., for its own retired and turned-out horses.

The Papieses own and operate Midwest Store Fixtures, a family business that outfits display cases, kiosks and other custom products for retail outlets, in University Park, Ill.

After hiring trainer Jaime Ness in 2009, Midwest Thoroughbreds became a force in the industry, finishing second nationally in victories with 236 in 2009. The stable has finished No. 1 every year since. Midwest Thoroughbreds recorded 310 wins in 2010, 418 in ’11, a record 542 in ’12 and 401 in ’13.

In 2014, Midwest Thoroughbred, which now has more than 300 horses, was the leading owner for the fifth consecutive year with 219 victories from 992 starters. No other owner was even close in the number of starters and winners. The $5.7 million Midwest Thoroughbreds’ horses earned last year was third best nationally behind Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Kaleem Shah, Inc.