But his syndicate of owners around Australian Bloodstock, which was astute enough to buy into the handsome German entire this year, were making up for him.
Wohler gave up his university studies as a 24-year-old because he felt obligated to the memory of his father Adolf, who had died suddenly.
Wohler took over his father's stable and 24 years later he yesterday stood in the Flemington birdcage with the trophy of the race he has long prized as the world's greatest.
"Unbelievable," said Wohler before Ryan Moore had got back to the stall.
"We might be a long way away in Germany, but I have tracked the Melbourne Cup for many years - even before I started training. I knew all about Phar Lap before I knew much else."
Luck plays a huge part in horse racing and Wohler thought some time back he may have lost the services of Protectionist.
"He was working through the forest one morning and a deer ran out in front of him and tripped him up. He fell, fractured a splint bone and required an operation."
As a result, Protectionist was the least-raced horse in yesterday's Cup - he was having just his 10th raceday appearance.
The way he burst away from the opposition from the 200m suggests a massive future. He will remain in Australia and be taken over today by Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
Wohler vowed to be back - he has fallen in love with Australia, but also the Melbourne Cup. "Once you've been involved in something like this you want to come back."
Ryan Moore's performance was one of the great Melbourne Cup winning rides.
Probably a lot of factors go towards Moore being regarded as the world's finest rider, but definitely one of them is an ice cold demeanour.
No one has ever accused Moore of having a personality, but in Melbourne Cups they pay out on performance not personality.
In winning the Cox Plate 1 weeks ago and yesterday's Melbourne Cup, Moore could be expected to pick up around half a million dollars.
Yesterday he carried himself as if he'd just won a Rotorua maiden.
Next time you view this Melbourne Cup observe how absolutely still Moore sits in Perfectionist behind a rock solid wall of horses at the 375m.
With a A$3.6 million pot of gold for the winner only 20 seconds ahead most jockeys would start barging left and right. Ryan waited, and waited and finally James McDonald forged forward from the line on Willing Foe and left a gap Ryan quickly pounced through.
Later when you ask Moore whether he was more excited winning the Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup he momentarily stares blankly.
Finally, he says: "I wouldn't separate them, all major races are special in their own right. Actually, I don't get too excited." No kidding.
The relaxed attitude not only helps Moore's riding, it assists with what to many would be a crippling travel schedule.
After winner the Cox Plate he flew to the United Stakes to ride at Saturday and Sunday's Breeders Cup meeting at Santa Anita and caught a Sunday midnight flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.
Today, he is off to ride in Tokyo, will ride in Hong Kong at the weekend then back to Tokyo for the following week.
"I'm quite organised," he says.
Yes, you can believe that.
Another northern raid
• Once again the Northern Hemisphere will take the Melbourne Cup home after Protectionist's easy win yesterday.
• You have to feel for Red Cadeaux's connections after he ran second for the third time.
• English rider Ryan Moore had Protectionist perfectly placed to lodge his final run.
