from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Manfried “Manny” Wolf, 81, a long-time dairy farmer, real estate broker and owner and breeder of Standardbreds in Flemington, N.J., died Oct. 27, 2011, at North Broward Medical Center.

Born in 1930 in the rural town of Mertloch, Germany, Mr. Wolf and his parents were able to escape Nazi persecution in 1936 and came to America. Within five years they started dairy farming and raising livestock on their farm in Flemington, which later was switched over to Standardbreds. He was also a licensed real estate broker in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

Starting his career in harness racing in 1978, just one year after the opening of Meadowlands Racetrack, Mr. Wolf raced under the Leo Wolf & Son Stable (named after his father and their livestock company).

The first race horse he ever owned, a pacer named Rockville Paul, in just eight weeks at the Meadowlands in 1978 won five times. Then in a partnership he bred one of harness racing’s early million dollar career winners, Doc’s Fella.

This year he bred his fastest trotter ever, Wolf’s Jann 4,1:54.4f, who at age 3 was a multiple NYSS winner who once raced back-to-back nights at Vernon Downs, capturing New York-bred events each evening.

During his career in harness racing, Mr. Wolf bred and owned more than 300 harness horses, mostly trotters with the first name of Wolf’s. They competed mainly in the New Jersey and in New York Sire Stakes. He also owned two stallions, Kawartha Mon Ami and Majestic Victory. He loved to buy and sell horses and his nickname on the New Jersey racing circut was Manny “Monty Hall” Wolf.

Mr. Wolf was a member of the USTA, the SBOA of NJ, SOA of NY, PHHA and FSBOA and was appointed by the Governor of New Jersey as a member of the board of trustees of the New Jersey Sire Stakes.

A devoted soccer fan he was recently honored with the naming of one of three new soccer fields in Raritan Township, N.J., by the Greater Flemington Soccer Club. Field 1 was named Wolf’s Crossing and Mr. Wolf was presented a team jersey for his support in the development of the soccer area.

As a teenager at age 17, Mr. Wolf is also credited with saving the lives of four young children from drowning in the Raritan River.

Mr. Wolf is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth (Seligman); sons, Michael (Carol Lonsk) and Steven (Stephanie Paulo); daughter, Elana (Lester) Gross; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will take place Sunday (Oct. 30) at 2 p.m. at the Flemington Jewish Community Center in Flemington, N.J.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 16575 Carey Road, Westfield, IN 46074.