Longtime Maryland trainer Howard Wolfendale passes at age 69

Howard Wolfendale, who began his career as a trainer in 1977 and was based in Maryland, passed away in Pennsylvania July 1 after complications from a stroke. He was 69.

Wolfendale, a native of western Pennsylvania, was the son of a decorated military veteran who owned show horses, as did many members of the family. But Wolfendale and his brother, William—he passed away in 2019—both opted for Thoroughbreds and ended up having successful training careers.

Howard Wolfendale, who trained through early 2020, won 1,525 races with 1,269 seconds and 1,088 thirds for total earnings of more than $22.1 million. He had many stakes winners, and his top earner, Bold Affair, won more than $719,000 in purse money. The mare ended her racing career with consecutive stakes victories in the What a Summer and Conniver at Laurel Park and the Primonetta at Pimlico Race Course.

Blue Sailor, a turf specialist, earned more than $394,000 in 40 starts for Wolfendale and competed in many stakes in the Mid-Atlantic region.

In 2006, Wolfendale won 115 races for earnings just shy of $2 million and won with 31% of his starters.

His daughter, Maggie, who works for the New York Racing Association, said her father had owners who encouraged him to claim horses. Wolfendale stepped up and competed in the claiming arena with King Leatherbury, Bud Delp and Rick Dutrow with success.

“Back then, he had an opportunity to train for some owners who were good friends and who gave him the reins to claim the horses he wanted, his daughter told Daily Racing Form. “And he was always good at getting them put back together and finding spots where they could win.”

Wolfendale’s wife, Tammy, was an exercise rider and co-owner of many of his horses. His nephew, Scott, son of William Wolfendale, also is a trainer based in Maryland.

‍