Cheltenham Pageant-winning jockey Michael O’Sullivan has died because of the accidents he suffered in a fall at Thurles on February 6, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has introduced.
He was using Wee Charlie for coach Gerard O’Leary and was certainly one of three fallers on the last fence within the two-mile Racing Once more February twentieth Handicap Chase.
The remainder of the assembly was deserted because the air ambulance arrived to take O’Sullivan to hospital, and it was later confirmed that he was being handled within the intensive care unit at Cork College Hospital, the place he had remained since.
In an announcement on Sunday morning, the IHRB stated: “On behalf of the O’Sullivan family, it is with profound sadness that the IHRB confirms the passing of Michael O’Sullivan.
“The administrators and workers of the IHRB want to lengthen their honest condolences to Michael’s household, associate, pals, his colleagues within the weighing room and the broader racing group presently.”
O’Sullivan, widely considered one of the rising stars in the weighing room, steered Marine Nationale to victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023 and scored at the same meeting last year with Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
He rode 90 winners over jumps in Ireland and five in Britain from just over 1,000 career rides.
Dr Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer of the IHRB, stated: “Michael sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving family in Cork University Hospital.
“We lengthen our appreciation to the multidisciplinary groups who offered the very best of medical care to Michael, each on the racecourse and in Cork College 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 live of other patients and their families.
“I’ve had the privilege of figuring out Michael via his newbie {and professional} profession and his dedication, modesty and sort nature at all times made him a please to be round.
“Michael’s success and his humility will have inspired many and I share the feeling of loss today with all those who knew him.”
Many members of the racing group have taken to X to air their condolences, together with British champion jockey Harry Cobden, who stated: “Absolutely devastating news about Michael O’Sullivan. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Harry Skelton added: “Absolutely devastating news to hear Michael O’Sullivan has passed away. My thoughts are with his family, friends. When you go that door to race you all want to come back in it together, his peg now sits empty for all the wrong reasons, thinking of all the Irish weighing room.”
Peter Roe, the overall supervisor at Fairyhouse Racecourse, posted: “We are all heartbroken to hear of the passing of Michael. It was a special day when he won his first Grade 1 at Fairyhouse. He was a lovely person who was a huge credit to his family, his friends & our industry. To his family, friends, colleagues my deepest sympathy.”
Sunday’s assembly at Punchestown and Irish point-to-point fixtures at Knockanard, Nenagh and Tinahely have all been cancelled as a mark of respect to Michael.
