From Guineas Winner to Steeplechaser?

Media Release - Thursday February 1
A young horse who can easily clear the gates at Macedon Ranges farm Miranda Park took out the Listed Hobart Guineas on Sunday.

Wolfendale, bred at Miranda Park by Virginia Frith and trained by Darren Weir carried out a successful raid on the $100,000 Tasmanian race and is now being set for the Tasmanian Derby.

The lightly raced three-year-old secured the stakes victory by half a length under the ride of Dean Yendall over the 2100 metre distance.

Retained to race by breeder Virginia Frith, Wolfendale is owned in equal partnership with Miranda Park's owners Gary and Helen O'Meara.

"I have no illusions of grandeur, but he is a little ripper and has been a good investment in the end," Gary O'Meara said.

Wolfendale was bred out of the Carnegie (Ire) mare Skibo, who Virginia Frith's mother raced with much success in New Zealand, and is sired by former Eliza Park stallion Astronomer Royal.

"I bred quite a few to Astronomer Royal, and I particularly liked this colt, so I purchased half of him as a yearling," Gary said.

"He was only small, but when he would gallop up the hills with his group, you could see him putting in. He does the same in his races, he stretches his neck out and truly tries."

"Our farm is the perfect set up for yearlings to grow and develop, as the hills allow the colts to expel some energy and lay down good, solid bone.

"I broke him in on the farm before I sent him off to Weiry to train. From all reports he hasn't blown them away, but he may just be one of those horses that doesn't show much in trackwork, but on raceday he can step out and surprise everyone."



Wolfendale (pictured far left leading his mates on a merry run up the paddock) is a true product of Miranda Park, as his mating, foaling, rearing and breaking was all done at the farm. He even happily returns to Gary and Helen to spell.

Wolfendale had won two of his three previous starts, and now brings his near perfect record to three wins and a second from just five starts, with $93, 825 in prize money.

"He has now returned to Weir's Ballarat stables to be prepared for his attempt at the Hobart Derby on the 9th February, but unfortunately he will come up against his stablemate and toughest rival, in Civil Disobedience," Gary said.

And once his flat racing days are over, O'Meara has high hopes that he may make it as a talented steeplechaser.

"He can jump like a stag, as I remember him easily clearing a gate here one day," Gary said.

"I'm thinking down the track now he is proven to stay and has won on a heavy nine; coupled with his natural jumping ability; he potentially may be a very handy steeplechaser."

News from TBV

Advertisment
More Reading...
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).