Between 1996 and 1998, Mandella won six straight million dollar races in Southern California with Dare and Go, Siphon, Gentlemen, and Malek.
Racing Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2003 he had four winners in the Breeders' Cup: Pleasantly Perfect, Johar, Halfbridled, and Action This Day.
"Most people who enjoy racing don't realize how special these early hours are, watching ... the relationship between horse and man," he wrote.
After remaining winless outside of his home state since winning the Arlington Million in 2006, Mandella captured the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby with Omaha Beach.
Mandella lives in Bradbury, California, with his wife Randi, son Gary (also a trainer), and daughter Andrea.