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

The writing of my Corner started many years ago, motivated by an irritation that I felt needed scratching. It was never my intention to make my commentary regular; neither did I intend to reinvent the direction of racing administration. It is both disappointing and ironical that what should be a simple, straightforward business provides a regular need for comment.

27 October 2026

Ocean Park’s With Grace seals NZ Cup berth

South Auckland mare With Grace secured her berth in next month’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton when extending her winning sequence to four with victory in the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway 2100 at Te Rapa on Labour Day Monday.