Michael O’Sullivan, the Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey, has died from head injuries sustained in a horror last-fence fall at Thurles on February 6.
O’Sullivan had been in an induced coma in an intensive care unit in Cork since his fall in a two-mile handicap chase. His death in the early hours of Sunday came five days shy of his 25th birthday. The Irishman died surrounded by his family.
He was one of racing’s brightest young talents and guided Marine Nationale to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle glory for Barry Connell at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
He followed up when Jazzy Matty won the Fred Winter. His three Grade One winners were all for Connell but the pair parted ways in November. He had ridden 14 winners in Ireland this season and two in Britain. He had also caught the eye of Noel George in France, riding for him at Auteuil in the autumn.
O’Sullivan had recently been plying his trade in the freelance ranks. The young talent, from Lombardstown near Mallow in north County Cork, had attained an Agricultural Science degree at University College Dublin before devoting himself to riding.
As a mark of respect, Sunday’s meeting at Punchestown has been cancelled along with the point-to-point fixtures at Knockanard, Nenagh and Tinahely.
O’Sullivan’s father William rode Lovely Citizen, trained by his brother Eugene, to a famous victory in the 1991 Foxhunter at Cheltenham. Eugene won it again with It Came To Pass in 2020 ridden by his daughter, and Michael’s cousin, Maxine.
Though Jack Tyner died after a fall in a point-to-point in 2011 and in 2016 JT McNamara died three years after suffering a catastrophic fall at the Cheltenham Festival which left him paralysed, O’Sullivan is the first to die as the direct result of a fall on an Irish racecourse since Kieran Kelly at Kilbeggan in 2003.
The racing industry was also hit particularly hard by the death of 13-year-old Jack de Bromhead in a pony-race fall on Rossbeigh Strand in 2022.
‘A very modest man and a natural rider’
Willie Mullins paid tribute to O’Sullivan as a “natural rider” with the jockey having been regularly called up by the leading Irish trainer to partner some of his superstars. The duo enjoyed big-race success with Embassy Gardens at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
O’Sullivan finished second on his final ride for Mullins at Thurles that afternoon and the Closutton handler remembered a “very modest, friendly and understated” man.
“It’s dreadful news which puts all our problems into context,” Mullins told the PA news agency. “He will be much missed here and there is a real sadness over the whole of Closutton today.
“He was here two mornings a week and was very much a part of the team at Closutton and his part here was only going to get bigger. He was such a natural rider who was very modest, friendly and understated. He had a great understanding of horses and racing and, given the horse, he was the man.
“I think Closutton will be a much poorer place without him and we, as a family, will miss him. He will be much missed in the yard and we have his family in our thoughts and our prayers are for them now.”
Fellow trainer Gordon Elliott also enjoyed success with O’Sullivan, most notably when teaming up with Jazzy Matty for victory in the 2023 Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott said: “It’s a terrible tragedy for racing and today is about remembering Michael. We had some great moments on track together, including when winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. We send our deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), said: “Michael sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving family in Cork University Hospital. We extend our appreciation to the multidisciplinary teams who provided the best of medical care to Michael, both on the racecourse and in Cork University Hospital.
“Michael’s family took the decision to donate his organs at this incredibly difficult time, but in doing so made a choice that will make a real difference to the lives of other patients and their families. I have had the privilege of knowing Michael through his amateur and professional career and his dedication, modesty and kind nature always made him a pleasure to be around. Michael’s success and humility will have inspired many and I share the feeling of loss today with all those who knew him.
“Michael’s family would like to reiterate their gratefulness for all the support they have received in the last couple of days and express their appreciation to the local community and racing family. The O’Sullivan family have asked for privacy at this time.”
Darragh O’Loughlin, CEO of the IHRB, said: “Michael was an exceptionally talented young rider who was always popular in the weighroom. Michael will be deeply missed by everyone in racing who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our hearts go out to Michael’s family, especially his parents Bernadette and William, and his brother Alan, who will feel his loss most keenly.”
Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said: “I was devastated to learn of the death of Michael O’Sullivan earlier today and speak for all involved in British racing when I say that our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this awful time.
“The bonds between the British and Irish racing communities are deep and this unspeakable tragedy will doubtless have a profound impact on many people on both sides of the Irish Sea. This has been an extremely difficult week for many in the racing family; support is available and I would urge anybody who feels they need this to reach out to their employer or representative body.”
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