BLAST FROM THE PAST
PATRICK O'REILLY: Top Horseman
 PATRICK O'REILLY
Patrick O'Reilly sen (73), a well liked and respected horseman in harness racing for 50 years, died at his Rakaia home. He had been in good health but suddenly collapsed and died after jogging a horse on his property. Resuscitation attempts were made by sons Kerry and Gerard without success.
O'Reilly was a most successful trainer and driver. He prepared a total of 341 winners and drove 190 winners. His first driving win was recorded behind Water Ranger at Hawera in 1945. The same horse gave Pat his first training success at Methven a year earlier when driven by Mawson Scoon. Water Ranger, by Sandydale from Gentle Oro, was leased as a 2-year-old from George Smart who was a Water Ranger from Chertsey.
O'Reilly trained many winners for his next door neighbour and good friend Bill Thomas including Black Diamond, Local Lie, Field Chief, Beverley Dawn and Mercury Light. Owners Laurie Broom and Harry Harrison were also held in high regard by O'Reilly.
Pat reliquished his reinsman's licence at the age of 65, along with Jim Ferguson and Owen Quinlan. That year the New Brighton club arranged for Pat and his four sons to drive in the Kevin Blair Pace at Addington on July 15. His best season was in the 1981-82 term when he prepared 22 winners. During 40 years on the track Pat was never suspended or fined for a race offence. He was regarded as a hard worker and any credit was attributed to a team effort by his wife Pauline and their helpers over the years.
Pat was born in Rakaia and one of 16 children raised by Maurice and Margaret O'Reilly. Other interests besides horses were rugby (most sports), his family and his trade as a farrier. He played for Mid-Canterbury as a first five for 15 years. O'Reilly learned his blacksmith skills from Methven trainer Clarrie May. Pat is survived by his wife Pauline and 10 children - sons Patrick jun, Kerry, Leo, Gerard and Denis, plus daughters Aileen, Maree, Janine, Kathryn and Irene.
O'Reilly's biggest wins include a NZ Cup with Spry (1969), two NZ Oaks with Swallow (1952) and Local Lie (1968), Wellinton Cup with Tehana (1958), Geraldine Cup with Just A Glow (1974), Rangiora Cup with Spry (1969), Nelson Cup with Prince Forbes (1971), Kurow Cup with Local Lie (1970), Hutchinson FFA with Local Lie (1971), Oamaru Juvenile Stakes with Direct Return (1969), Queens Birthday Stakes with Just A Glow (1974), Inter-Dominion Heat with Aqua Lady (1951), T S Harrison Stakes with Field Chief (1962), Waikouaiti 3yo Stakes with Adios Bachelor (1973). He also trained Elrana (1982) to win the Blenheim Cup, Signor Gabrielli to win the NZ Trotting Stakes (1984) and Norton to win the New Brighton Juvenile (1981), Celebrity Stakes (1981), Easter Cup (1984) and Pan Am Mile (1984).
Credit: NZ HRWeekly 20Apr94
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