Dave O’Sullivan was somewhat forced into training, after battling with his weight as a jockey. At the time, he believed his options were limited: become a taxi driver or work behind a bar. Fate, however, had other plans.

Veteran trainer Clarrie Davis - father of Dave’s late wife, Marie - was gravely ill. A young Dave began helping out around the stable and, before long, found himself stepping into the role of a horse trainer. Little did he know, he would go on to become a 12-time champion trainer, saddle some of the greatest horses to grace New Zealand's turf, and earn a place in the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Wexford Stables was established by Dave in 1961. Named after what he believed to be his ancestral home in Wexford, Ireland, it was only later confirmed that his roots actually traced back to Waterford. By then, Dave figured it was a little late to change the name.

Dave’s second raceday as a trainer was at Racing Tauranga, and he was confident his first runner, Abilene, would also be his first winner. The horse jumped well, travelled kindly, and was well clear turning for home. But as the field straightened, Abilene veered across the track, crashed through the outside fence, and tragically dropped dead.

Moments later, in the second division of the same race, Dave’s unfancied mare Bridal Gown got up to win by a nose. His third runner lined up in the last race of the day and also crossed the line first. One distraught owner, two delighted ones, and one trainer in desperate need of a stiff gin.

Despite his own success, Dave initially discouraged his son Paul from entering the training ranks, hoping he would go to university and study accountancy instead. But Paul had other ideas. He joined his father in 1981, and over the next 17 years, the pair formed one of New Zealand’s most successful training partnerships.

Together, they won every major race on the New Zealand calendar, celebrated multiple Group 1 victories in Australia - including the prestigious Cox Plate - and triumphed on the world stage by winning the Japan Cup, then the richest race in the world.

In 2004, Paul O’Sullivan made history by becoming the first New Zealand trainer to secure a contract with the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club. While he had enjoyed a strong foundation in New Zealand, this move meant starting from scratch in one of the most competitive racing jurisdictions in the world. Paul’s determination, horsemanship, and adaptability soon shone through, and over the past 17 years, he has excelled both in Hong Kong and on the international stage.

Paul’s departure raised an important question. who would take the reins of New Zealand’s champion stable?

Following his retirement from the saddle in 2003, Lance O’Sullivan found himself in need of a new challenge. He missed the adrenaline and excitement of raceday and felt he was too young to walk away from the sport entirely. Despite having once declared he’d never train, Lance stepped in to take over Wexford Stables.

He now admits that the thrill of training a winner far outweighs the buzz he experienced as a jockey. The transition may have been unexpected, but Lance found his next great passion - guiding the next generation of Wexford winners from the trainer’s stand.

Andrew Scott joined Lance O’Sullivan in partnership at Wexford Stables in 2006, following more than 15 years working under renowned trainer Mike Moroney at Ballymore Stables. When Lance stepped back from training in 2009, Andrew continued as the sole trainer - and the success rolled on.

During this time, he guided My Keepsake to victory in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and Miss Raggedy Ann to success in the Group 1 Railway Stakes. Over a 20-year training career, Andrew has now surpassed 1000 winners and today trains with Lance in one of New Zealand's longest standing and successful partnership. As a partnership, Lance and Andrew have saddled over 600 winners - and more than 50 of those being at stakes level. 

Today, Lance and Andrew are at the helm of the Wexford ship, continuing the legacy built by the O’Sullivan family.

Lance has been widely recognised for his contribution to the sport. In 2003, he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to thoroughbred racing. He was part of the inaugural class inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2006 and later honoured with induction into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Dave O’Sullivan was also inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2006, and the O’Sullivan family received New Zealand racing’s highest accolade—the Racing Excellence Award. Lance would later go on to receive the same award in his own right.

Today, Wexford Stables continues to punch well above its weight. Under the leadership of Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, the stable has firmly established itself among New Zealand’s elite, finishing in the top three of the national trainers’ premiership for the past two seasons. Notably, Wexford boasts one of the best strike rates among the country’s top 10 stables. Major victories continue to flow, with recent Group 1 triumphs including the Telegraph, Tarzino Trophy, 1000 Guineas, and the New Zealand Derby, reinforcing Wexford’s status as a powerhouse in New Zealand Thoroughbred racing.