Ontario native Melanie Giddings began her career in the industry as an assistant to trainers Mark Casse and Steve Asmussen before serving as Jeremiah Englehart’s assistant for almost six years. In 2020, while working with Englehart, Giddings was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian and endocervical cancer and endured several rounds of chemotherapy before the disease went into remission. The thought of hanging out her own shingle never really crossed her mind until her life-threatening illness put things in a new perspective. Giddings started her own career as lead trainer in January 2023.

A few months later, owner Bill Parcells transferred stakes winner Maple Leaf Mel, who is named after Giddings, from Englehart’s care to her barn. Giddings was the trainer of record when the 3-year-old New York-bred filly won the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park, giving the young trainer her first graded stakes victory.

Melanie’s racing stable continues to grow and currently offers locations in Belmont, Saratoga, and Palm Meadows training center in Florida. Her passion for racing and devotion to the horses in her care remains paramount in her operation.