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Dave O'Sullivan (horse trainer)

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Dave O'Sullivan
OBE
Full nameDavid John O'Sullivan
OccupationRacehorse trainer
Born(1933-10-05)5 October 1933
New Zealand
Died26 April 2024(2024-04-26) (aged 90)
Matamata, New Zealand
Career wins1877
Significant horses
Personal details
Relatives

David John O'Sullivan OBE (5 October 1933 – 26 April 2024) was a New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He is notable for having trained Horlicks to win the 1989 Japan Cup and many Group One races in New Zealand and Australia as well as being inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.[1][2]

Early life and riding career

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O'Sullivan was born on 5 October 1933.[3] He started as an apprentice jockey and had 125 wins over a decade of riding. He won the 1953 Railway Stakes on Te Awa, and would go on to win the race six times as a trainer.[4]

Training career

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In February 1961, O'Sullivan became a licensed trainer.[5] His first ever black-type win was Oopik ridden by then stable apprentice Peter Johnson in the 1973 Hawke's Bay Guineas. Oopik later won the 1976 Sydney Cup, ridden by O'Sullivan's first apprentice Roger Lang. The O’Sullivan/Lang combination also won with Shivaree in the 1979 Tancred Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) at Sydney.[6]

During his training career, O'Sullivan won one premiership title independently (1978–79 with 62 wins) and eleven in partnership with his son, Paul. He trained 1877 winners. In 1990, O'Sullivan was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[7] In the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to Thoroughbred racing.[8]

In 2021, it was noted that O'Sullivan had attended the National Yearling Sales for 60 years. When interviewed he stated the best horse he purchased there was Mr Tiz.[9]

Death and legacy

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O'Sullivan died on 26 April 2024, at the age of 90.[10][11]

O'Sullivan's son Lance was a champion jockey who, like his father, was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.[12] Lance was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Thoroughbred racing, in the 2003 New Year Honours.[13]

Notable horses and victories

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Dave O'Sullivan trained or co-trained a large number of high-class horses, including:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Racing Hall Of Famer Dave O'Sullivan reflects on his amazing career". www.sen.com.au.
  2. ^ "Dave O'Sullivan - Racing Hall of Fame" – via www.youtube.com.
  3. ^ "O'Sullivan, David John, (Dave) OBE". Waterson's Funeral Services. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  4. ^ Barton, Tim (21 December 2022). "Yahabeebe, legend of the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival". LoveRacing.nz. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Dave's story". Wexford Thoroughbred Racing. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Master jockey Roger Lang passes away". Loveracing.nz. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. ^ Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 287. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
  8. ^ "No. 52953". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 13 June 1992. p. 30.
  9. ^ "Dave O'Sullivan 60 years at Karaka". LoveRacing.nz. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  10. ^ Guerin, Michael (26 April 2024). "Dave O'Sullivan, a legend of NZ horse racing, dies aged 90". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Kiwi great O'Sullivan passes away". Racing.com. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ^ Rodley, Aidan (29 January 2010). "O'Sullivan hopes Hall of Fame retains its aura". Waikato Times. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  13. ^ "New Year honours list 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2002. Retrieved 28 April 2024.