Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Lance O’Sullivan knows what it takes to win the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
As a jockey, he triumphed in the Classic on three occasions, starting with the Bob and Toby Autridge-trained Olga’s Pal (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) in 1998. Four years later, he partnered top filly Nimue (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) to victory for father David and brother Paul, then the following year, he was first home on another brilliant filly, Snap (NZ) (Kingdom Bay {NZ}), again for David and Paul.
Understandably, the Group 1 race holds special significance for the 12-time champion jockey, who chalked up more than 2400 wins during his glittering career and was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2006.
“It’s a great race and I was fortunate enough to win it three times as a rider,” he told The Thoroughbred Report.
“It’s a great race (the NZ 1000 Guineas) and I was fortunate enough to win it three times as a rider.” - Lance O’Sullivan
“I was lucky enough to ride a number of top fillies in it over the years, and some very good ones I didn’t ride have won the race, including Tycoon Lil, Taatletail and Seachange.
“Since becoming a trainer, I’ve won the New Zealand Derby a few times, and while the 1000 Guineas isn’t held in the same esteem as the Derby, it’s still a great race and one I would love to win.
“If you get a filly that can win or place in the race, it adds very good value to them.”
Lance O'Sullivan | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Recounting his 1000 Guineas victories, O’Sullivan shared an interesting story about his association with Olga’s Pal, before heaping praise on Nimue and Snap.
“With Olga’s Pal, I don’t think I ever rode her again after that race, they put someone else on,” he said.
“She was a pretty good filly.
“Nimue and Snap were both outstanding fillies.
“Nimue and Snap were both outstanding fillies.” - Lance O’Sullivan
“Nimue unfortunately broke down, but she put together a brilliant record, and Snap she won a Group 1 at two, three and four between 1200 metres and a mile-and-a-half.
“Snap ran in the 1994 Cox Plate and won four Group 1s, and she was only small, just a pony.”
O’Sullivan admitted winning with Nimue and Snap was a real family affair, one that gave him great satisfaction.
“It was always good to win big races with them,” O’Sullivan commented.
“We enjoyed some great success.”
A two-pronged attack
After retiring from riding in 2003, O’Sullivan took out his trainer’s licence in 2004, becoming the third member of the family to do so.
He now trains in partnership with Andrew Scott and together they helm Wexford Stables - a world-class facility in Matamata, which was established in 1961 by Dave O’Sullivan.
As a trainer, O’Sullivan has won a number of New Zealand’s biggest races, including the G1 Auckland Cup in 2006 with Pentane (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), the G1 Windsor Park Plate in 2014 with Pure Champion (Ire), the 2017 G1 Sistema S. with Summer Passage (Snitzel), the 2022 G1 Tarzino Trophy with Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir), and the 2021 and 2022 G1 New Zealand Derby with Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) and Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) respectively.
Gallery: Some of the horses O'Sullivan has experienced Group 1 success with as a trainer, images courtesy of Trish Dunell
The 1000 Guineas has eluded O’Sullivan and he would love nothing more than to change that at Riccarton on Saturday, joining Dave and Paul on the honour roll. They tasted 1000 Guineas success on three occasions, firstly with Cure (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) in 1986, before going back-to-back from 1992.
Wexford Stables will send out two fillies in this year’s NZ$500,000 contest.
Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) has drawn gate 11 and will be ridden by Joe Doyle. The Taupo maiden winner in September is at the pointy end of the market.
She is from the winning Iffraaj (GB) mare Dancilla (NZ) who is a half-sister to the Group 2 victress Decorah (NZ) (Pins).
Molly Bloom (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Wexford Stables paid Seaton Park NZ$150,000 for her at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).
“It’s a very even race this year and there’s about 10 that can win it, in my opinion,” O’Sullivan explained.
“Molly Bloom has had no luck whatsoever.
“She’s got good ability and the further she goes the better she’s going to be. She should run a very good mile.”
“She’s (Molly Bloom) got good ability and the further she goes the better she’s going to be. She should run a very good mile.” - Lance O’Sullivan
Stablemate Grande Gallo (NZ) shed her maiden tag at Tauranga a fortnight ago and is 15-1 or thereabouts with most corporate bookmakers. O’Sullivan said don’t underestimate the Belardo (Ire) filly.
“I think she’s the better of the two chances, personally. I rate her a better chance than the other filly,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think she’s (Grande Gallo) the better of the two chances, personally. I rate her a better chance than the other filly.” - Lance O’Sullivan
“The market has missed her.
“She won the other day with her ears pricked and (jockey) Sam Spratt half had the handbrake on.
“Since we’ve come home, she has thrived, she has done really well.
“We’ve put blinkers on her to help aid her and she’s certainly improved a lot with them.”
Grande Gallo (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Wexford Stables bought Grande Gallo for NZ$85,000 from the Haunui Farm consignment at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2).
The filly is out of the winning General Nediym mare Medrano who is a half-sister to the stakes winners Dopff (NZ) (Tights {USA}), Rizon (Zabeel {NZ}) and Ready To Lift (More Than Ready {USA}).
