O’Reilly Passes Away Peacefully

31 December 2014

Waikato Stud is very saddened to report that our legendary sire O’Reilly passed away peacefully in his paddock this morning.

“I have to say, I’ve had better years,” said Waikato Stud’s Mark Chittick.

“All good things must come to an end. O’Reilly has been wholly and solely responsible for the go forward and momentum of Waikato Stud as we know it today.

“We could not be more proud of his achievements or more thankful for his legacy.

“He has certainly been a breed shaper and we are indeed fortunate to be able to continue his amazing influence at the stud through his daughters and with his exciting sire son Sa-cred Falls in 2015.

“He has provided us and many people with some terrific highlights and will continue to do so in the future.”

O’Reilly was 21 years old.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, I got a bit behind last week, with Friday slipping by without realising it; hence no Corner. I have said on too many occasions that negative messages are of no help to anyone, and yet there seems so often a reason to be concerned. Clearly, this week the well-constructed Guerin Report on the threatened downgrade of our Group 1 races demands our attention.

21 October 2026

Vale Ohope Wins, Ocean Park’s tough, kind and courageous daughter

Long before her Oaks double, Ohope Wins’ greatest victory belonged to the Waikato Stud staff and Matamata Veterinary Services vets who saved her as a desperately sick foal. Taken far too soon at Caulfield, her remarkable story is theirs too.