Mary Rampellini: Memories from a little brother

By Ralph E. Rampellini

Mary Elizabeth Rampellini
July 21, 1972 – July 4, 2026

On the 250th anniversary of our country, the Sport of Kings lost one of its best advocates. Mary Rampellini was raised in horse racing and destined to be in the sport.

Two days before Mary’s passing, my mom had an old photo album out that I had never seen before. There was a picture of my dad working at Spendthrift Farm foaling a full sister to Triple Crown winner Affirmed. Who else was there that day? Mary.

Mary grew up on farms as my dad made his mark on the sport. Mary had some formative years, from 1979-89, at the famed Circle T Ranch, where my father served as racing manager for Nelson Bunker Hunt. Mary was there watching and learning from my father as he broke and developed 100-plus yearlings each year and shipped them off to race around the world.

What many do not know about Mary is that she held many positions, learning the ropes of the industry. At 17, after her high school graduation, we moved from Louisiana, where my dad was racing manager for John Franks, to a farm in Canada. Mary was my dad’s broodmare manager. Some of the foals she raised were selected for the Keeneland select yearling sale. Mary was a veterinary assistant, hotwalker, and worked her way up to my dad’s assistant trainer. She knew so much about the sport because she experienced it firsthand and could relate to everyone.

Mary even leased a horse named Kristie’s Money at Trinity Meadows racetrack in Weatherford, Texas, and I would always repeat track announcer Roger Hisman's call, “Maximore, Kristie’s Money, Maximore, Kristie’s Money, take these two to the line.” He won back-to-back races for Mary, and we were on top of the world.

According to my mom, Mary started writing at the early age of 2 in my family’s home, which was located across the street from Rockingham Park in New Hampshire. Mom says you could always spot Mary around a crinkled up newspaper with pen and paper in hand.

Mary got into writing for her high school newspaper, and the rest was destined to be. She owned her own newspaper at 19. The Tri-City Herald was a successful newspaper in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I remember as a kid visiting her office in Fort Worth and going on paper routes, throwing newspapers from the back seat of her convertible.

Mary started covering horse racing for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at 19 as well. Horse racing came to Texas, and our family followed. Mary got the job because she answered this question correctly: Can you read a Daily Racing Form? Mary had been in a stroller at Gulfstream Park in Florida and began reading the Racing Form on my dad’s lap at 2.

When Lone Star Park opened in North Texas, a call came in looking for a freelance writer for Daily Racing Form. After consulting with my father and our pastor, Father B, Mary went all in with the Form. That was the start of a 28-year career with Daily Racing Form. I remember her speaking so fondly of the writings of Joe Hirsch and the famed artistic work of Peb.

Mary had a knack for coming up with a great story. She would often consult with my father in the early years. Later, his impact on the sport carried on through her pen. My father’s No. 1 rule was to always, and I mean always, put the horse first – that is the athlete, the star of the show. Mary always did her very best to frame her stories in a positive light, always being respectful and letting people tell their side of the story.

Over the years, Mary developed into a great handicapper. She would never boast, but she did say to me once when I challenged her Kentucky Derby pick, “Ralph, I did pick the last two Triple Crown winners, and it’s in print.” Many days, Mary would easily pick four or five winners on the card. Multiple times, she had seven or eight, and I do remember once she missed a perfect card by a nose, never boasting, just on to the next race. As a kid, I would hear my dad say, “You’re only as good as your last win.”

My sister brought humility to her craft that was no doubt imparted to her by her Catholic faith. Her great love for Jesus led her to write for the Arkansas Catholic and North Texas Catholic magazines. My mom says, “If anyone is wondering how Mary was able to write so much with such accuracy, she always, always leaned on Our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God for my beautiful daughter.”

Mary never missed a Sunday morning Mass, and over the years served as a Eucharistic minister, and lector. She would often say the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet for those in need. Just last week, she told me she was putting together two spiritual bouquets for families in need at our church, Saint Francis Catholic Church in Grapevine, Texas. Our pastor, Father Sojan told me, “Mary was like a greeter, she would speak with many parishioners before and after Mass.”

Mary attended both Saint Mary of the Springs Catholic Church and Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Hot Springs, Ark. I remember seeing that it was hard for her to leave because parishioners would gather around her to ask questions like, “Mary, who do you like in the fourth?”

Mary also started a children’s book series called “Ollie the Oaklawn Owl,” with the goal of educating and inspiring youth to get involved in horse racing. She also used the book series to honor racing legends.

I would call my sister almost daily, and she would always answer or call right back, saying sorry, Ralph, I was on the other line with D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott, Saffie Joseph Jr., Elliott Walden, Lou Cella, Pat Pope, Toby Keith, Terry Bradshaw, Jake Delhomme, and her friend and confidant Jody Swavy of the Racing Form. (These are just a few names I can remember from the last year or two. The list goes on and on.)

Mary once went to the famous King Ranch in South Texas and wrote an amazing story on its history and ties to horse racing. I said “Mary, put that up for an Eclipse Award, you can win.” She politely declined, not wanting to take away from others.

I am sitting here writing on the Fourth of July with Rocky, Mary’s 90-pound lab/boxer mix who would stay by her side hours on end as her pen crossed the page, by my side. Rocky and Mary could be spotted driving around town, Rocky sitting up tall with his best friend, waiting for his next adventure. (Mary would get a kick out of her little brother writing a story about her. I can hear her now, “No, this goes there” or “This is how it should go.” I would counter and be frustrated at her correcting me, and she would say, “That’s what big sisters do.”)

As I sit at my sister’s desk, I see the memorial service packet she made to honor D. Wayne Lukas and his family this past year at Oaklawn Park, I see Rocky’s dog treats, Daily Racing Forms stacked seven feet high, notes from tracks from all over the country, and a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

My sister found her calling, and her pen made a lasting mark on the Sport of Kings.

Mary made the wheel turn in the sport by connecting countless people and keeping them informed. She had a plethora of knowledge, shared it with the world, and gave all she had to the sport she loved.

Mary, may you rest in peace for all eternity!

We love you, Mary!

* The Rampellini Family asks that you share a prayer, memory, or story you have about Mary. You can mail a letter to:

Mary Rampellini and Family
P.O. Box 462 
Roanoke, Texas 76262