Joseph A Vella

FAIM, Chief Executive Officer

Joseph is a very experienced horseman.

He was the founder of a very large I.T Outsourcing Company that he owned for 28 years but always had a passion for the equine industry. After selling his business in 2007, Joseph retired to Wingrove Park to mainly concentrate on the breeding and racing of thoroughbreds in Australia and internationally.

Joseph has completed many equine studies that relate to equine nutrition, breeding, veterinary activities and equine fitness. Joseph is a hands-on executive at Wingrove Park who oversees all concepts of running the stud.

Apart from having extensive experience in the thoroughbred industry, Joseph is a qualified National Stock horse judge and is regularly asked to judge horses at shows around Australia. Joseph also has extensive experience in thoroughbred pedigree matching.

Daira Vella

Director

Daira is an experienced horse women who fully understands the importance of preparing horses whether it be in the yearling barn or preparing show horses.

Daira is also a hands-on person that bring 25 years of equine experience to the team. Daira is a proud member of the Victorian Wakeful Club which encourages the networking and participation of women throughout the thoroughbred industry.

Shane Fliedner

Horse Trainer

Shane Fliedner has been surrounded by, working with and attending to thoroughbreds his entire life. A jockey for eighteen years, Shane won 10 jockey premierships in Northern Victoria as well as riding Adelaide and Sydney winners throughout his riding career. Upon retirement from competitive riding, Shane elected to train thoroughbred racehorses.

Joe & Daira Vella have had an on-going and successful relationship with the Bendigo based trainer for over 10 years. Shane and his wife Briga (Country Racing Victoria board member) has led Wingrove Park to numerous winners.

The two operations work in conjunction to make sure each horse is in "tip-top" condition from the spelling paddock to the racetrack.

Separated by only a 60min drive from Bendigo to Lancefield, the pair has a working relationship that covers all aspects of the industry, from rearing to the racetrack.

Dr Alison Miles

Equine Verterinarian

Dr Alison files is the proprietor of Romsey Equine Services.

Romsey Equine Services provides veterinary and breeding services to horses in the Macedon Ranges and is a vital part for the caring of all horses at Wingrove Park.

Dr. Des James

Equine Verterinarian

Des is a partner of the Gisborne Veterinary Clinic.

He is a very experienced equine veterinarian that has played an in-valuable role in consulting Wingrove Park's breeding and equine veterinary activities as to ensure that Wingrove Park produce only the very best of thoroughbred horses.

Dr. John Kohnke

Nutrition and Practical Health

Dr John Kohnke's knowledge in the area of equine nutrition and general equine management is extensively used at Wingrove Park.

Wingrove Park have been using Dr John Kohnke's nutrition formulation for the past 10 years.

The success of Wingrove Park racehorses is a clear result of using Dr John Kohnke's formulated feed program for the last 30 years.

Qualifications: BVSc, RDA

Shane Patterson

Horse Breaker

From the famous Patterson family based at Flemington racecourse, Shane is the important educator of all young horses at Wingrove Park.

As well as doing an exceptional job with our yearlings with great horsemanship skills, Shane is also a Clerk of the Course and has led back to scale many Melbourne Cup winners.

Shane is the son of John "Patto" Patterson who has been located at Flemington racecourse since 1958.

Mark Parsons

Farrier

Mark is the proprietor of MP Farrier Services.

With 20 years of experience in horse shoeing and specializing in corrective shoeing and trims, Mark's role is a vital one to ensure all our horses remain in great condition no matter their stage in life.

Ben Sporle

PR and Marketing Officer

Ben is responsible for the maintenance of the Wingrove Park digital assets including our website, social media, photographs and media releases and relations.

For over 10 years it has been Ben's role to keep followers up-to-date on our latest success as-well as organise forms of promotion and advertising.

As-well as working for Wingrove Park, Ben reports on many of our successes in his Winning Post column 'Goldfields District' as well as broadcasting at country race meetings. Ben works full-time at Moonee Valley in Racing and Media, where our horse he part-owned In Fairness won twice.

Ben is based in Melbourne and is a young and enthusiastic member of our team who attends race days regularly and is our form student!

Jibby

Horse Nanny

Jibby is a favourite at Wingrove Park and a fantastic companion pony to horses of all shapes and sizes.

It's fair to say she doesn't sleep it tough, demanding to be brought into the stables and rugged each night!

Rosey

Head of Security

Rosey is the friendly face that will greet visitors upon arrival at Wingrove Park.

She takes her role as security very seriously.

Mini

Supervisor

Mini is an integral team member that is responsible for the day-to-day catching of the mice within the Wingrove Park surgery area and supervises all staff when feeding time is required.