O'Reilly (24 August 1993 – 31 December 2014) was a New Zealand bred and trained thoroughbred racehorse who won two Group 1 races.
O'Reilly was bred by Waikato Stud Holdings Limited. His dam, Courtza, was the winner of the 1989 Golden Slipper Stakes. He was named after the Irish international rugby player and businessman Tony O'Reilly.
He was entered in the 1995 Karaka Yearling Sales but was unable to be sold when he failed a veterinary test, due to an abnormality in his larynx, so he was retained by his owner, Gary Chittick.
Racing career
O'Reilly was initially placed with Melbourne trainer, Gerald Ryan, but due to injuries was put out to paddock for eight months. After his rest he was then trained by Dave and Paul O'Sullivan at Matamata and ridden in all his races by Lance O'Sullivan.
In the November 1996 Bayer Classic Group 1 event for 3 year old horses at Otaki, he beat High Return and Rebel.
In January 1997, he contested the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, an open handicap event over 1200m, winning by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:07.36 over Krispin Klear and Jazzac.
On 15 February 1997, he placed second to Mouawad in the Australian Guineas 1600m at Flemington Racecourse.
However, during his next start, in the 1200m Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, he ruptured a suspensory ligament which finished his racing career after only six race day starts.
Remarkably, O’Reilly was New Zealand Horse of the Year for 1996 and 1997, champion sprinter, and champion miler.New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
Stud career
After sustaining an injury that caused him to retire from racing, O'Reilly was put to stallion duties at Waikato Stud.O'Reilly (NZ) 1993 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ
O'Reilly proved to be very successful as a stallion and ended up standing for a fee of $60,000.
He died in his paddock at Waikato Stud in Matamata, on December 31, 2014, of a suspected ruptured aorta.
Notable progeny
O'Reilly has produced 15 individual Group One winners:
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
Foaled Name Sex Dam Dam Sire Major Wins1999The Jewel fThe GrinGrosvenorNew Zealand 1000 Guineas New Zealand International Stakes2001Swick gCreme Anglaise (NZ)Crested WaveVRC Sprint Classic2002FellowshipgMystical FlightDanzalionHong Kong Stewards' Cup2002Master O'ReillygWithout Remorse (NZ)Bakharoff (US)Caulfield Cup2003Guyno gRiver CenturyCentaineWATC Derby2004Alamosa cLodore MystikCentaineFord Diamond Stakes Thorndon Mile Otaki-Maori Weight for Age Toorak Handicap2007Shamrocker fBohemian BluesBlues Traveller (Ire)Australian Guineas AJC Derby2008Silent AchieverfWinning SpreeZabeelNew Zealand Derby New Zealand Stakes Ranvet Stakes The BMW2009Sacred FallscIguazu's GirlRedoute's ChoiceNew Zealand 2000 Guineas Doncaster Handicap (twice) George Main Stakes2009Shamexpress gVolkroseVolksraadNewmarket Handicap2011O'Marilyn fMonroe MagicZabeelManawatu Sires Produce Stakes2013MacO'Reilly gDouble BabuCentaineNew Zealand International Stakes New Zealand Stakes2013Tiptronic gTiptoesPinsHerbie Dyke Stakes Zabeel Classic2014GruntcRuqqayaVan NistelrooyAustralian Guineas Makybe Diva Stakes2015Brutal cAlberton Princess Golan (Ire)Doncaster Handicap
He was New Zealand's top sire in 2007/08, 2011/12, 2012/13, and 2013/14.
As a Dam Sire
Daughters of O'Reilly have produced stakes winners such as:
Daffodil (No Excuse Needed - Spring), winner of the 2008 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, 2009 AJC Oaks and Windsor Park Plate. Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer - Rare Insight), winner of the 2012 Bill Ritchie Handicap, 2012 & 2013 Breeders Classic and 2014 Coolmore Classic. Mo'unga (Savabeel - Chandelier), winner of the 2021 Winx Stakes and Rosehill Guineas Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai - Sancerre), winner of the 2023 Empire Rose Stakes & Cantala Stakes and 2024 All-Star Mile, Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) & Feehan Stakes.
As a Grand sire
Ka Ying Rising, winner of the 2024 Hong Kong Sprint, 2025 Centenary Sprint Cup, Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and Chairman's Sprint Prize
Sire sons
A number of sons of O'Reilly have become sires:
Alamosa (2004, dam: Lodore Mystic by Centaine), sire of Kirramosa and Stolen Dance O'Reilly's Choice (2013, Dorotea Dior by Redoute's Choice) Sacred Falls (2009–2019, Iguazu's Girl by Redoute's Choice), sire of Icebath and Aegon Shamexpress (2009, Volkrose by Volksraad), sire of Coventina Bay The King (2011, The Grin by Grosvenor)
See also
Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
References