Racing: New challenge takes Paul O'Sullivan to Hong Kong

By MIKE DILLON

Paul O'Sullivan has beaten off top international opposition to land a prized training position in Hong Kong.

O'Sullivan has been granted the only new international training spot in Hong Kong for the 2004-05 racing season in the world's richest racing arena and officially starts on June 22.

The champion New Zealand trainer leaves behind New Zealand's most famous thoroughbred training complex, Wexford Stables at Matamata, developed by his father Dave O'Sullivan.

During the 17 years Paul O'Sullivan trained in partnership with his father from 1981, the pair won the trainers' premiership 10 times.

The shock announcement leaves a question mark over Wexford, but O'Sullivan said last night plans were almost in place for its continuance.

"Because I haven't been able to say anything about the possibility of going to Hong Kong, we haven't been able to finalise arrangements for Wexford."

He said he could not elaborate, but did not rule out the possibility that Dave O'Sullivan and possibly his brother, former champion jockey Lance O'Sullivan, will be involved.

"You can say there will be family involvement, but I can't say more in case what I say doesn't eventuate - we'd all look silly.

"But Wexford won't die."

During his riding career, Lance Sullivan was always adamant he would never immerse himself in training thoroughbreds.

As of last night, O'Sullivan did not have one horse to begin his training career in Hong Kong.

"The Hong Kong Jockey Club do not allow you to say publicly that you might be in the running for a training licence, so you can't make any approaches.

"In an interview I had with them two weeks ago they stressed that there would not be a guarantee of one horse to train if I got there."

The HKJC is so strict on confidentiality it has told all international applicants for a licence: "If we hear you're coming to Hong Kong [before the official announcement], you won't be."

It is understood one extremely high profile Australian trainer seeking one of the two licences granted yesterday recently told the press he could be in line for Hong Kong and was immediately ruled out of contention.

O'Sullivan was advised via a phone call at 2.20pm yesterday and was previously given no indication.

Two positions in Hong Kong were created by the compulsory retirement at age 65 of former Australian trainer Geoff Lane and of Hong Kong trainer Eddie Lo.

The other replacement is Almond Lee, who has been longtime stable foreman for one of the leading Hong Kong trainers, Australian David Hayes.

O'Sullivan said ambition and the challenge made him keen to seek a position in Hong Kong.

"Look, I've had a leg-up all my life coming in and training with dad then taking over the stable.

"To start at the bottom of the heap in the toughest racing scene in the world is a challenge and I like a challenge."

Few would walk away from such a luxury racing position as No 1 Wexford trainer, but O'Sullivan says he has no regrets.

"I see this as much as a credit to the New Zealand racing industry as anything personal.

"There were a lot of people around the world looking for this one position.

"In Hong Kong they don't have people from second-rate countries going there to train and they chose one and they chose it from New Zealand.

"It shows the esteem with which New Zealand horse people are viewed up there.

"I really thank the New Zealand racing industry for this."

The HKJC said O'Sullivan's strengths were:

* Consistently trained a large number of horses with a high success rate.

* The ability to develop horses purchased prior to racing as well as those obtained after commencing their racing.

* Ability to place horses to advantage in handicap races.

* A hard working and dedicated trainer with a hands-on approach who continues to ride trackwork.

* Proven ability to travel horses to international success.

Paul O'Sullivan was a major player in the stable's magnificent success in winning the 1989 Japan Cup with Horlicks.

The champion mare was in isolation before the race in Japan and O'Sullivan introduced a mirror to her stable, creating the illusion for Horlicks that she had a mate with her.

The 44-year-old had the job last night of starting the mammoth task of advising every one of the hundreds of Wexford owners.

That is only the first hurdle he faces.

Hong Kong bound

* Paul O'Sullivan beat off strong international competition for one outside-Hong Kong position.

* He says ambition and the challenge were his driving forces.

* O'Sullivan starts training there late next month and, as of last night, did not have one horse to start his team.