Dave O'Sullivan (horse trainer)

David John O'Sullivan OBE (born 1933 or 1934)[1] is 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.[2][3]

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

He became a licensed trainer in February 1961.[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 at Sydney.[6]

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

Dave's son, Lance O'Sullivan was a champion jockey and also inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame as well as being appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to thoroughbred racing 2003 New Year Honours.