Robert Marzilli can be, admittedly, a man of few words at certain times. His passion for horse racing, however, speaks volumes of a genuine love for the sport.
It was in between Easter lunch courses a few years ago when Marzilli found some time to sit down with his sister-in-law’s father, Charlie Spiteri, a longtime horseman.
Not surprisingly, the topic of conversation soon turned to horses.
“My girls have wanted a pony in our yard for as long as I can remember,” recalled Marzilli. “Then, I spent an afternoon discussing horses over Easter with Charlie. That was it. The seed was planted and I was hooked. I came home the next day and said, ‘We have a horse!’ The kids went berserk.”
While Marzilli wasn’t quite as effusive – at least not outwardly – as his children, he was undeniably enthused at the prospect of being a thoroughbred owner.
His first purchase came in the form of Racen, a grey filly bred by Paul Buttigieg.
After a third-place finish in her career bow on September 14, 2014, the daughter of Philanthropist delivered Marzilli his first win, a nose victory at 5 ½ furlongs over Woodbine’s main track on May 8, 2015.
There’s no need to ask if he was hooked after that milestone moment.
“The first four (he owned) were horses named after my family,” said Marzilli. “It’s an acronym for all our names – Racen, Arcen, Cenar and Caren. We’ve added a few since then.”
Caren is undoubtedly the star of the Marzilli stable.
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The three-year-old filly with the fiery temperament has scorched her competition on numerous occasions, racking up nine wins from 14 starts, along with two seconds and two thirds.
Bred in Ontario by James A. Everatt, Janeane A. Everatt and J. Arika Everatt-Meeuse, she was purchased for $45,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale.
Caren’s notched eight stakes wins to date, including triumphs in the 2015 editions of the Princess Elizabeth and Victorian Queen. This year, her victories include the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen, Bison City and Wonder Where.
The Mike De Paulo trainee is also riding a four-race win streak. She’s set to contest the Grade 2, $200,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs on November 25.
“Here we have Caren grabbing a stake almost every race – it’s unbelievable,” said Marzilli. “She is truly amazing.”
And rather feisty.
“She can be very spicy at times,” Michelle Armata, one of Caren’s grooms, told Ontario Racing in a story from earlier this year. “She has bitten and kicked many of Mike’s staff. It requires us all to be very cautious when working around her. On the other hand, she can be very loving and will give kisses for candy. When it comes to race day, as soon as we put the bridle on, she is all business. She knows her job from there.”
Even so, it doesn’t stop Marzilli, who owns R.A.M. Contracting Ltd., from taking a certain stance, so to speak, whenever Caren goes postward.
“I’m so nervous that I’ve become superstitious and need to stand in the same spot each time,” he admitted.
Nearly three years after Racen’s initial win, Marzilli remains passionate about racing, thrilled to be an owner, happy to call himself as a fan.
He’s also grateful to share the experience with those closest to him.
“For me, it really is something that brings family together,” said Marzilli, who enjoys collecting cars, old and new (“it’s all about the horsepower.”) “It might be going down to the barn early Sunday mornings with my daughters or inviting family to spend the day at the track on race days. Horse racing – it’s a different world.
“It’s unbelievable how well the horses are taken care of,” he continued. “Our trainers, Mike and Josie De Paulo, and jockey Jesse Campbell, they truly care for and are emotionally attached to the horses. The whole process is truly amazing and it feels great to be a part of it all. After all, it is the sport of kings.”
A sport he hopes one day might deliver a crowning moment.
“Having a horse in the Queen’s Plate would be nice…for starters.”
Now that would certainly be something for Marzilli to talk about.
By Chris Lomon
Photos by Mr. Will Wong.
(C) Ontario Racing 2016. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without permission.
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