WOLTEMADE realised an ambition of trainer Jimmy Fenwick’s to win the event with victory in the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle.

The only major competition at the north east venue the Ashington handler had failed to win previously, Woltemade, named after one of Fenwick’s beloved Newcastle’s summer signings, hit the back of the net once pacing up into a race-winning lead on his way to landing the £12,500 Category One prize over 480m.

Sadly, while Ballymac Buddy (Ted Soppitt) was knocked over on the dash to the bend but will be back after a short rest, the news was not so good for Backtoyourbest (Carol Weatherall) who suffered a fatal injury at the first bend – and Newcastle racing manager Ian Walton’s thoughts were with connections.

“What happened to Backtoyourbest naturally overshadowed what was a great night here with a big crowd in – twice as many as last year – and a very good winner of the Arc Northern Puppy Derby. Our thoughts are still with Carol and her team, but it was good to hear Ted (Soppitt) confirming that Ballymac Buddy will be back soon,” said Walton.

Crossing the line three lengths clear of kennelmate Ballymac Service for a Fenwick-trained one-two in the main event, Walton said the winning time of 28.30sec (normal) underlined the quality of the contest and the ability of the winner, in particular.

“He’s the second fastest Northern Puppy Derby final winner we’ve had since the event moved here in 2010, so that says something, and Woltemade was certainly popular with the Geordies in the stadium for obvious reasons!” added Walton.

Winning trainer Fenwick was delighted with the performance of Woltemade, a May 2024 son of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Minton, and paid tribute to the youngster’s Liam Dowling – albeit stopped sort of apologising for the name change!

“He was known as Ballymac Jonbon – not a bad name at all – but we just had to change it. But his kennel name is Jovi – as in Bon Jovi – so we’ve kept some of it!

“We’ll be looking at Monmore for the Puppy Derby there next month and the Gymcrack at Sheffield in April might also be the plan after. He’s a May whelp so is young enough.

“It’s great to win the Northern Puppy Derby which we hadn’t done until Thursday. However, like everyone else at the track, we were sad to see what happened to Carol’s dog and thought with his owners, but thankfully Ted’s dog seems okay which is good.

“That apart, it was a great night, and good to see Newcastle really embracing these big nights. There was a really decent crowd in and thanks once again to the sponsors.”