Trainer David Fawkes Saddles 1,000th Winner

Trainer David Fawkes, who went from parking cars at Calder Race Course to winning 27 graded stakes, celebrated his 1,000th career victory Nov. 1 when he saddled Hot Scot Racing Stables' Captain Flint for a victory in the ninth-race finale at Gulfstream Park West, formerly Calder.

Sent off at 9-1 in the 7 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 2-year-old maiden claimers, Captain Flint ($20.80) led from start to finish under jockey Emisael Jaramillo to win in 1:32.86 over a firm turf course.

Hot Scot Racing Stables also provided Fawkes' daughter, Natalie, with her first career training win on Oct. 14, 2018 with Bonnie Scot at Gulfstream Park West.

"Milestones are always exciting," Fawkes said. "I'm excited about it."

Major victories by Fawkes have included the 2010 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) with champion Big Drama, three grade 1 victories with Sheer Drama, consecutive victories in the Odgen Phipps Handicap (G1) with Take D' Tour, and grade 2 wins with Bahamian Squall  and Forty One Carats.

Fawkes, who wanted to be a jockey before he outgrew the profession, exercised horses and worked for trainer Christine Janks while also parking cars at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park, and Calder and driving a beer truck. He began his training career in 1998.

"I'd leave here in the morning, my wife would drop me off at the place, I'd work until feed time, then she'd drop me off at the horses," Fawkes said.

Fawkes, a native of Aurora, Ill., also trained Florida Stallion Stakes winners Cajun Delta Dawn and Queen Drama.

From overseeing 6,105 starts through Friday, Fawkes has tallied a 1,000-873-775 record with earnings of almost $36 million.