Dale L. Romans

A licensed trainer since age 18, Dale Romans saddled his first winner on February 15, 1987, at Turfway Park. The son of renowned trainer Jerry Romans, a leading trainer at Turfway and twice leader at Ellis Park, Dale began working in his father's stable from literally the time he could walk. A two-time leading trainer at Keeneland, Romans has won two stakes there while adding four at Churchill Downs, one at Pimlico, and three at Hoosier Park. In 2001, he won stakes at six different tracks, making him one of the most versatile and successful trainers practicing today.

Last year, for the second consecutive year, he won the Keeneland fall meet title, notching eight wins and total earnings of $306,639 (He saddled three winners there on October 14, 2001, and has won 51 total races at Keeneland, nearly 25% of his total starts). He also won his fourth consecutive title at Churchill's spring meet.

In the Keeneland 2003 fall meet, Romans is contending for his third consecutive crown. He will keep around 50 horses between his barns at the Lexington track and Churchill Downs. "Getting three would be a definite thrill," Romans told The Thoroughbred Times. "To win at Keeneland you need a little luck and have to catch some breaks, and hopefully we can do that and win some races."

Fittingly, he occupies the historic Barn 4 at Churchill, where his father had his office for many years. He trains horses year-round for various clients, and also sends strings to Gulfstream and Saratoga. He also maintains a barn at Turfway.

On May 30, 2003, Romans reached a pair of impressive, although perhaps bittersweet milestones: recording his 200th win at Churchill Downs, which just so happened to move Romans past his late father on Churchill's all-time victory list.

Dedicated to the betterment of the thoroughbred industry, Romans also serves his fellow trainers, owners, and backstretch personnel as the 1st Vice President of the Kentucky chapter of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Additional Information:

Dale Romans grew up at Churchill Downs working for his father, the late trainer Jerry Romans. He took out his first trainer's license at age 18, a decade after he chose training as a career. Romans also worked briefly for Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens. Through June 2007 Romans had more than 1,100 career wins and $44 million in purses.

Romans' first win came at Turfway with a filly he bought for $1,500. He also scored his first blacktype at Turfway, saddling Morning Punch in the 1991 Florence Stakes. He owns one Turfway title, a three-way tie with Bernie Flint and Greg Foley in the 2003 Holiday Meet. He has 16 stakes wins at Turfway.

Among those Turfway stakes is the 2004 Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) with Roses in May, who next was second in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) behind Horse of the Year Ghostzapper and then won the Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2005. Romans also campaigned 2004 Eclipse Award turf champion Kitten's Joy, who that year piled up six stakes wins including two Grade I races before running second to Better Talk Now in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).

Among his most successful horses, Kitten's Joy was his big break as his horse was named American Champion Male Turf Horse honors and Roses in May provided him with the biggest payday of his career to date when he won the $6 million Dubai World Cup in 2005. He collected his first Breeders' Cup win in 2009 when Tapitsfly won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Kentucky Derby starters include, Sharp Humor (2006) finished 19th, Paddy O' Prado (2010) finished 3rd ,Shackleford (2011) finished 4th and Dullahan (2012) finished 3rd