Lance O'Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Lance Anthony O'Sullivan (born 28 August 1963 in New Zealand
) was one of New Zealand
's best-known jockeys, now retired.
He won a record number of races totalling 2479, mainly in the 1980s including the 1989 Japan Cup
on champion mare Horlicks
, which broke the world record over 2400m. He was also jockey of the unfortunate Waverley Star
in the 1986 Cox Plate
second to Bonecrusher
, called the "Race of the Century
."
In 2006, Lance O'Sullivan was part of the inaugural class inducted in the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
) was one of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's best-known jockeys, now retired.
He won a record number of races totalling 2479, mainly in the 1980s including the 1989 Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
on champion mare Horlicks
Horlicks (horse)
Horlicks was an outstanding Thoroughbred racemare from New Zealand. She won the internationally-contested 1989 Japan Cup in a world record time of 2:22 for 2,400 metres - a remarkable feat given that many of the world's classic races, such the Belmont Stakes, are run over this distance...
, which broke the world record over 2400m. He was also jockey of the unfortunate Waverley Star
Waverley Star
Waverley Star was a New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who is best remembered for finishing second to Bonecrusher in the 1986 Cox Plate - widely referred to as the 'race of the century'. Waverley Star, who was known as Our Waverley Star in Australia to distinguish him from a 1976 foaling of the...
in the 1986 Cox Plate
Cox Plate
The W.S. Cox Plate is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne every October by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to honour W.S. Cox, the club's founder. For three-year-olds and over, the race is considered to be the Weight for Age championship of Australasia...
second to Bonecrusher
Bonecrusher (horse)
Bonecrusher Is a retired champion New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who was widely admired in both Australia and New Zealand. Bred by Bill Punch, his dam's sire was a son of a French champion, Tantieme. Bonecrusher was purchased by Peter Mitchell for just $3,250 at the Waikato Yearling Sales,...
, called the "Race of the Century
Race of the Century (Horse racing)
The Race of the Century was the name given to a 1986 W.S. Cox Plate, a thoroughbred horse race in held in Melbourne, Australia, between two great New Zealand racehorses of the 1980s....
."
In 2006, Lance O'Sullivan was part of the inaugural class inducted in the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
The New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame is an organization created to recognise and honour those whose achievements have enriched the New Zealand Horse racing industry...
.