A ride down memory lane: Caitlin O'Sullivan

With our history spanning over 160 years, we thought it high time to ask a few (not so old!) friends of Ellerslie to recall their favourite memories of racing here at ‘The Big E’.

Today we chat to Caitlin O’Sullivan, digital marketing specialist for LOVERACING.NZ and daughter of ‘racing royalty’, Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan.

Caitlin on course here at the 2020 Boxing Day Races

Says Caitlin on her favourite Ellerslie memory…

“Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I was unable to be on-course at Ellerslie to watch Rocket Spade win the 2021 New Zealand Derby.

“Although we would have loved to have been at Ellerslie for it; we made the most of it – dressing up in our black and whites [the traditional colours of a Derby Day] and enjoying a glass of bubbles or two with family and close friends.

Caitlin celebrating on course with some of the Wexford Stables team after their big (back-to-back) win in the Vodafone New Zealand Derby earlier this year.

“While the 2022 edition of the race was once again run behind closed doors [again due to COVID-19 restrictions], I was lucky enough to be on-course, thanks to working for LOVERACING.NZ.

“I planned to watch the race on the fence, as I wanted to record the finish for social media. However, at the last-minute Dad [co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan] suggested I watch the race in the stand with him, “just in case”.

“I think he had a hunch Asterix [who he trains] would put in a performance far better than his $46 odds suggested he would.

Asterix was a clear winner in the 2022 Vodafone New Zealand Derby

“Cheering home Asterix in the stands at Ellerslie with Dad is a memory I’ll cherish for a very long time!

“I think being unable to attend in 2021 only made [this year’s win] sweeter.”