Not many trainers around the world have accomplished what Dave O'Sullivan managed to over his Hall Of Fame career, winning the biggest races of his era with some of New Zealand's most iconic horses.
In this episode of Racing Tales Of The Turf, Louis Herman-Watt catches up with the master trainer to find out how he built a career that is still unrivalled in New Zealand.
O'Sullivan credits winnings the Japan Cup in 1989 with Horlicks his greatest achievement, it was the richest race in the world at the time and training in partnership with son Paul while other son Lance rode the champion mare made it a total family triumph.
"It is difficult to put in to words, in a race like that all your doing is hoping for the best and that doesn't always occur .. she just kept going, she was a very, very tough horse, never had a brilliant action or anything like that, she was just tough," O'Sullivan fondly recalled.
Horlicks went on to win more Group Ones in an era in which the great Matamata trainer and his sons continued to dominate, turning the O'Sullivan name into New Zealand racing royalty.
