Wilson Scores Career Victory 1,000 at Fair Grounds

By Joe Kristufek —-

Hodges Photography
Wilson Scores Career Victory 1,000 at Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 13, 2026) — With Friday’s race four victory with Gypsan at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, trainer Shane Wilson reached the 1,000-win milestone for his career. Isaac Castillo was aboard for owner Eleven One Racing.

A Louisiana native, Wilson has been a consistent presence on the regional and national scene since launching his training career in 1998. He won the Fair Grounds training title during the 2023-24 meet with 50 victories, finished third in the standings last season and currently sits second in the race for this year’s crown.

“It’s big, Wilson said. “We had a few lean years along the way but my career has progressed to where we are today. We’re very proud. I’ve had a lot of owners that that stuck with me when times were tough and now, we’ve been doing well. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Wilson’s barn has been fueled in recent seasons by support from prominent owners including Brittlyn Stables and Wayne T. Davis. His operation is anchored by assistant and son, Conner Wilson, who plays a key role in day-to-day training responsibilities. Conner was not present for the milestone win.

“He’s aggravated,” Wilson said of Conner. “He was the first phone call I got whenever the horse hit the wire. He’s on his way to Sam Houston. We have horses running there tomorrow, so he missed the big win unfortunately. He’s such a big part of what we do. We’ve had some favorites get beat the last week. Winning race 999 was a lot easier than getting to 1,000.”

Wilson’s path in racing began as a teenager, when he spent summers working as a hot walker for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg at Louisiana Downs, near where he grew up. He later served as an assistant to trainer Sam David, Jr. before striking out on his own, competing primarily on the Southeast and Midwest circuits.

“I got married and my wife and I had children, that’s why I stayed in Louisiana,” Wilson said. “I wanted to be around for all the baseball and football games. You’d like to compete regularly at places like Churchill Downs and in New York, but I kind of chose to be here and I don’t regret it. It’s been a good life. You can make a living in Louisiana.”

One of the defining horses of Wilson’s career has been Mocito Rojo, whom he claimed in 2016 for owner Wayne Davis for just $10,000 out of a maiden victory. The gelding developed into a graded stakes winner, capturing the Grade 3 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs and Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park in 2019 and banking more than $900,000 over his career. Wilson also won the 2024 Grade 3 Unbridled Sidney Stakes at Churchill Downs with the Louisiana-bred filly Ova Charged.

Although he’s gotten a taste of glory outside of Louisiana, Wilson’s heart is in the Pelican state.

“We love Fair Grounds,” Wilson said. “We hate when the meet ends and can’t wait until it begins.”

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 20, 2025 through March 22, 2026. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.