Trainer Mike Zwiesler passed away Saturday at his home in Tampa, Florida after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 58.
Zwiesler served as an assistant to trainer Neil Howard for nearly two decades before going out on his own to train at Sharp Farm in Delaware in 1999 for the late Bayard Sharp and members of the Farish family. During his 10 years at Sharp Farm, he trained stakes winners Shag (Dixieland Band), Mumbo Jumbo (Kingmambo), Stay Close (GB) (Belong to Me) and Rock Candy (Mineshaft).
Racing was in Zwiesler's blood, according to his brother Tom Zwiesler, who manages Sam-Son Farm's Ocala training center.
“Our father was an owner/breeder when we were growing up,” Tom Zweisler recalled Sunday. “He was quite successful on a small scale. So racing was always in our blood–we were always going to the races. When I graduated from school, I went right to the track and Michael soon followed me. I was working for Neil at that point and brought Michael down with me one day, so that's how he got going in it.”
Tom Zweisler admitted racing was a passion for both brothers.
“Anybody who stays on the racetrack this long, you love it,” Zweisler said. “He certainly loved it.”
Mike Zweisler is survived by his wife Susan and daughter Kat. A memorial service is being planned for early October in Indiana.
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