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...
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.