The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly welcomes Mirko Midili to the elite ranks of the association’s Million Dollar Riders after surpassing $1 million in NRHA lifetime earnings during the 2026 6666 NRHA Derby® presented by Markel.
The Italian native, who now resides in Norman, Oklahoma, reached the milestone through standout performances at the Derby aboard Mark My Word (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic) owned by Janice Laney, bred and nominated (US and EU) by Arcese Quarter Horses USA and Luk Skywalker (Maytheforcebewhizyou x RS Athena Jac) owned by Thiago Boechat and Janice Laney, bred and nominated Caracciolo/Lukacs (EU) and by Janice Laney (US). Midili is a trainer at 7 Lakes Ranch, an NRHA Corporate Partner owned by Thiago Boechat and Janice Laney, who herself recently achieved the distinction of becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Owner.
For more than a decade, Midili has built a reputation as one of reining’s most accomplished international horsemen, earning major titles on both sides of the Atlantic before establishing himself in the United States. His career has been defined by consistent success in the sport’s premier events and by developing elite horses throughout every stage of their careers.
Among the defining moments of Midili’s career is his partnership with SG Frozen Enterprize (Frozen Sailor x RS Rose SJ) owned by Silver Spurs Equine, bred and nominated by Marco Franchini, who was also the owner at the time Midili was at the reins. Midili trained and showed the stallion in Europe, guiding him to the 2012 IRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Championship before the horse relocated to the United States. SG Frozen Enterprize has since become one of reining’s most influential breeding stallions, recently surpassing $5 million in offspring earnings, further highlighting Midili’s eye for exceptional equine talent.
Midili has continued to excel on some of the sport’s biggest stages, including multiple top finishes at the NRHA Futurity and victories in prestigious European events. His highest-earning performances include:
- 2024 NRHA Futurity – Level 4 Open, fifth place aboard Mark My Word ($76,983)
- 2025 NRHA Futurity – Level 4 Open, sixth place aboard Hesacraftydevil (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Prettywhizprettygun) bred, owned and nominated by Janice Laney ($76,661)
- 2023 NRHA Futurity – Level 3 Open Reserve Champion aboard Red In Valentine (SG Frozen Enterprize x La Marka De Gunner) owned, bred and nominated by Luga Quarter Horses ($47,500)
- 2019 IRHA 3-Year-Old Futurity – Level 4 Open Champion aboard Not Black At All (Not Ruf At All x Lenas Poco Dunit) owned and nominated by Luga Quarter Horses ($45,001)
- 2021 IRHA 3-Year-Old Futurity – Champion aboard Spark Made Whiz (Spark N Whiz x Mare Made) owned and nominated (EU) by Luga Quarter Horses and bred by Silvano Ronzullo ($40,392)
- 2012 IRHA 3-Year-Old Futurity – Level 4 Open Champion aboard SG Frozen Enterprize ($39,000)
Crossing the Million Dollar Rider milestone places Midili among an exclusive group of professionals whose sustained excellence has helped shape the sport of reining around the world. His journey from Italy to Oklahoma reflects both the international reach of NRHA competition and the opportunities available to talented horsemen on the sport’s biggest stages.
With this achievement, Midili adds another milestone to an already distinguished career that continues to leave its mark on the global reining industry.
