I WAS delighted to speak with Gregory Meares this week and learn of the rude health of Queen Of Wolves. This 33-year-old lives with a pony companion and has just spent her 26th winter outdoors, in spite of the atrocious elements.

Gregory managed the Pollmeier’s Knocknagat Stud in Co Waterford until his retirement but he still calls regularly to check up on his old friend. The daughter of Wolver Hollow (by Sovereign Path who was born in 1956) won three races in Ireland when trained by Paddy Mullins for Heinz Pollmeier.