Jean Drolet
Funky Munky Stable has chosen Jean Drolet, based at the Mark Ford Training Center in Middletown, N.Y., as our Harness trainer. Originally from Quebec City, Canada, Mr. Drolet arrived in the United States in 1965. His first job in harness racing was at the storied Hanover Shoe Farms. After working for Bruce Nickells, he went to work as second trainer for Lee Broglio at Roosevelt Raceway, and also assisted the driver with the most wins in harness history, Hall of Famer, Herve Filion.In 1975, Drolet ventured out on his own. Since then, Jean, assisted by his wife Marthe, has achieved consistent success on the east coast harness circuit.
David Donk
Funky Munky Stable has tabbed David Donk to be our thoroughbred trainer. David grew up very close to Finger Lakes Racetrack. He worked at Finger Lakes as a teenager on weekends and during the summers. He was introduced to racing by his father, who owned racehorses since 1968. David learned from one of the best in the business, Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens, who he apprenticed for from 1985-1990. He started his own stable in 1990. Henry De Kwiatkowski who purchased Calumet Farm in 1992, was one of David’s first clients and together they won 3 stakes races during the first year of their partnership. Since then, David has won quite a few New York and graded stakes races and is considered one of New York’s top trainers! A few of David Donk’s notable horses are the following: First there is AWAD, who won the Grade 1 Arlington Million in 95’. In 1996, ORDWAY came in third in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. STRIKE THE BELL won the 2010 Grade 3 Noble Damsel. In 2012 Donk’s ZULTANITE came in second in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs and third in the Grade 2 Sands Point. Finally there’s HESSONITE, who not only won the Grade 3 Beaugay, but between 2011 and 2013, HESSONITE has won 9 stakes races while bankrolling $879,644!!! As of 2013, David Donk has had about 4,300 lifetime starts with 526 wins. His horses have amassed over $25 million in purse money for an average of almost $6,000 per start!!! After a few conversations with David [and following his stellar career for many years] I felt that he would be a tremendous asset for Funky Munky Stable. He is a tremendous trainer, both with young horses and hard knocking older horses. But I must say, the thing that stands out in my mind is the way that David communicates with me. He is a very classy gentleman, who is very respectful and quite friendly in conversation. He tries to make you feel at ease in his presence, and that speaks volumes about his personality! Glad to have you on the Funky Munky Stable team, David!!!