Albany youngster Tom Wolfe embarks on new chapter as horse trainer under guidance of uncle Steve Wolfe

Tom Wolfe was brought up in the racing industry and now the aspiring youngster is embarking on a career as a horse trainer. He is the nephew of champion Great Southern trainer Steve Wolfe and has spent the past two years as stable foreman for rising metropolitan trainer Luke Fernie. It was a special moment for Wolfe, 22, on Sunday at Mt Barker Turf Club as he saddled up the first official runner in his name, just a few days after being granted his trainer’s licence. Garage Days ran fourth over 1300m in a ratings race at Mt Barker and although Wolfe has no plans for a big stable just yet, he said naturally he was going to start to train on his own. “It was a natural progression, really,” Wolfe said. “I’ve done my time learning and it was the right time to go out on my own — it was going to happen eventually. “I ended up getting the horse, bought her at the online sales from Adam (Durrant), and away we went. He went super at his first start and I haven’t had him for too long but it’s a good starting point and I’m sure there is a race out there for him.” There is a new group of owners in Garage Days, with a host of family and friends jumping into Wolfe’s first venture as a trainer. He has also left the Fernie stable and is now taking care of the Perth-based gallopers from Uncle Steve’s yard. “I’m back with Uncle Steve and running the stable up here in Perth at the moment,” Wolfe said. “Back home in Albany with Uncle Steve was where it all started for me. “When he offered me the job up here, I thought it was the right decision. It’s a nice transition and a good time to play around with a couple of my own while learning from one of the best. “I’ve got him behind me, which is great support. “I’ll just chip around with a small team. I’m not in a massive hurry, so I’ll keep working here and roll with the punches.”