Through the first quarter of 2022, Mike Maker Racing Stable's earnings have amassed to over $131 million dollars. A career win percentage of 20% as well as an in-the-money 49% of the time.
The son of Michigan-based trainer George Maker, Mike has been around the racing business his entire life. He bought his first horse when he was 13 with money he earned from working for his father and delivering newspapers. The horse won his first start. Maker spent 10 years working for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas before opening his own stable in 2003.
During his time with Lukas, he handled a number of standouts, including Cat Thief, Cash Run, Spain, Orientate, Surfside and the 1999 Horse of the Year Charismatic, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
"My father was a trainer so I grew up around racing. We lived in Madison Heights, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. My family raced at Hazel Park half the year and Detroit Race Course the other half, and like most kids I dreamed of winning the Kentucky Derby. Not only did I work at the track, but I was a racing fan."
"I owned my first horse when I was 13, and he won the first race we ran him in....I was hooked."
"I saved money for my first horse by delivering the Detroit Free Press and by walking hots on the weekends for my dad. I eventually worked up to assistant to my dad, and was an owner and trainer on my own for a short time. I was very fortunate to land a job with DWL (D. Wayne Lukas) in November 1993. This job enabled me to travel and gain a priceless wealth of experience at the highest level of thoroughbred racing.”
"Like all these young guys that are successful, he's grown up with it. He's been a success in our program at every level. He's a very astute trainer with good horsemanship skills, and he's remarkably adept at dealing with people."
- D. Wayne Lukas
Mike Maker Racing Stable has made over 13,000 starts in thoroughbred races across the globe.
Since 2011 Mike Maker has landed In the top 10 in the wins category for all North American Trainers.
Since 2006 Maker Racing Stable has never been under a 19% Win Percentage for the respective year.
Since inception the stable has amassed stable earnings of over $114 million.
Since 2007 stable earnings have exceeded $2 million each year.
Maker Racing Stable averages more than 100 horses in training throughout the year with assistants and foremans rising through the ranks at each location.
Mike Maker Racing Stable specializes in training and developing thoroughbred race horses at the highest level of the game with multiple Breeders' Cup victories, grade 1, 2, and 3 stake victories, and leading trainer titles to his credit.
Mike Maker is a multiple leading trainer at various race meets throughout the country and has amassed earnings of over $114 million dollars since inception.