O’Reilly Strikes Again

29 March 2014

In the wake of Silent Achiever’s Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes win last weekend, 2YO daughter O’Marilyn has just won the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in fine style.

Three wide the trip, the field had no answer when she laid down the gauntlet shortly after turning for home, ultimately careering away in the hands of Sam Spratt for a commanding win.

Trained by Stephen McKee and raced by Trevor McKee, O’Marilyn has now won two of six starts and hinted to supreme Gr.1 ability with previous placings in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes and in the (R) Listed Karaka Million.

O’Marilyn is bred by Whakanui Stud and is the third Gr.1 winner out of the Zabeel mare Monroe Magic – the other two being Headturner (AJC Derby) and Anacheeva (Caulfield Guineas).

She represents O’Reilly’s 15th individual Gr.1 winner, his 72nd individual stakes winner, his 10th individual stakes winner this season.

Interestingly, this O’Reilly/Zabeel cross – which was also to the fore with Silent Achiever last weekend, is strongly distinguished by a staggering 13.0% Stakes Winners-to-Runners ratio.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.