Local Legends: Hungry Like The Wolf
To celebrate the upcoming National Racehorse Week the RCA has created Local Legends, a series showcasing hero horses from racecourses across Britain. Every so often a horse captures the imagination of racegoers. They’re not always Group or Grade 1 winners, but at their track on their day they truly are Local Legends.
There were many significant sporting moments in July 2005. Roger Federer won his third consecutive Wimbledon title, Tiger Woods won the British Open, his 10th major, and London was awarded the 2012 Olympic games. On 15th July 2005 a horse called Mr Wolf made his debut at Pontefract racecourse, winning the Gerda Security Products Classified Stakes. The Pontefract faithful were no doubt impressed with the performance as they watched Mr Wolf make all on the uphill 6f course, but what most of them probably didn’t expect was that he would go on to become a Local Legend.
During his ten-year career on the racecourse Mr Wolf ran 113 times, picking up 13 wins across Britain. 36 of those runs, and 8 of the wins, came at Pontefract and to this day that remains the course record for number of wins. After winning on his Pontefract debut he quickly racked up a racecourse treble with two more front-running victories under jockey Fergal Lynch for trainer David Barker. Over the years he would go on to pick up 4 more wins at the course for Barker with his final victory coming in July 2010 for his new trainer John Quinn. Fittingly this was another front running performance with Mr Wolf holding off his rivals much to the delight of the Pontefract crowd.
Mr Wolf was electric out of the stalls at Pontefract
“They were always six deep around the Parade Ring when he ran”
Richard Hammill, Chief Operating Officer & Clerk of the Course at Pontefract said of Mr Wolf: “The Ponte racegoers adored Mr Wolf. They were always six deep around the Parade Ring when he ran, and the reception he received on winning was more like what you’d hear at Cheltenham rather than a Tuesday afternoon at Pontefract!
“He still holds the record for the most wins at the course, although there are a couple of other Ponte regulars who are just one win away from equalling his tally, including Mr Orange who is owned by one of Mr Wolf’s owners, Andrew Turton.”
“Many were walking up to the bookies to collect with four furlongs left to run”
Andrew Turton became involved with Mr Wolf in 2008 when Peter Asquith, the original owner and breeder of the horse got in touch. Andrew said: “Peter knew that I’d always wanted to own a winner at my local course, Pontefract, and invited me to get involved with him in 2008. When Peter passed away later that year I took over ownership along with the trainer David Barker.
“My standout memory of Mr Wolf is his win at the course in June 2009. It was a 15-runner handicap and Mr Wolf was drawn out wide in stall 10. He didn’t let that stop him though, and in typical style he bolted out the gate, drawing four lengths clear in the first furlong. The Pontefract regulars knew that there was only one outcome after that, and many were walking up the bookies to collect with four furlongs still left to run!”
Mr Wolf was retired from racing in 2012, but his legacy lives on and he remains, to this day, an integral part of the Pontefract family. Every June the racecourse hosts the Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap which was most recently won by Mitrosonfire who has since won three more times at Ripon, Ascot and Newmarket. Pre-Covid Mr Wolf himself would parade twice a year at the racecourse and even host VIP meet & greets!
Mr Wolf doing a meet & greet with his fans at Pontefract
With Pontefract hosting five Listed races throughout the season it isn’t too unusual for the crowds there to see some impressive performances, but no horse has managed to create a legacy quite like Mr Wolf and he will no doubt be remembered and loved by the people of Pontefract for many years to come.
You can find out more about National Racehorse Week at nationalracehorseweek.uk
