Training Legend Marks 60 Years at Karaka National Sale

Media Release - Monday January 25

Legendary conditioner Dave O’Sullivan vividly remembers the first time he went to the National Yearling Sale as a raw 27-year-old with a newly minted trainers’ license in his back pocket.

O’Sullivan marked his attendance at his 60th consecutive sale at Karaka on Monday with the assembled audience in the auction auditorium providing him with a warm reception on being informed of the feat.

Dave O’Sullivan, with his son Lance, attended his 60th consecutive National Yearling Sale at Karaka this week. Photo: Trish Dunell

O’Sullivan was humbled by the acknowledgement as he recalled some of his experiences over the years, beginning with his first sale at Trentham.

“I remember going to Trentham, where the sales were based back then, when I was 27,” he said.

“I didn’t go down there to buy but to see if I could make a few connections as I had just really got my trainers license.

“I came home with 12 horses from the sale, all to go to Australia after I had broken them in.

“That was the start of it for me because back then we broke them in and did everything to get them ready for racing.

“Trentham in those days was something we all loved as it was a great atmosphere and although there have been a number of changes over the years, including the shift up here to Karaka, the principle remains the same as it is a contest between competing parties to buy the next champion.

“For most of my life I have been coming to the sales for a reason which was to buy horses for the stable, but the last couple I have just been here because I really enjoy it.”

Advertisement

Although O’Sullivan struggles to name all of the top-class gallopers he has bought at the sales, there is one that stands above all others.

“Without a doubt the best horse I have bought out of any sale was Mr Tiz,” he said.

“He needs no introduction to racing fans, but he was a special horse.

“It is difficult to count all the good horses I have bought, but another I remember was Do Si Do, who I paid $4,000 for.

“That was pretty cheap but at the end of her two-year-old career I sold her for $250,000.”

While O’Sullivan doesn’t have any plans to enter the bidding action this week, he did have some advice for son Lance.

“I’ll leave any bidding this week to Lance but if he is going to buy one it better be an early runner as I don’t think I can wait for it as a five-year-old.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.