Jockey Michael O'Sullivan Dies at 24 After Fall in Horse Race: ‘An Exceptionally Talented Young Rider'
O'Sullivan was hospitalized and put in an induced coma after falling at the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase on Feb. 6. He died from his injuries on Sunday, Feb. 16, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board confirmed in a press release.
'Michael sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving family in Cork University Hospital,' Dr Jennifer Pugh, Chief Medical Officer of the IHRB, said.
'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,' Pugh added that O'Sullivan's family donated his organs.
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O'Sullivan was one of three jockeys who fell at the final fence during the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase at Thurles Racecourse in Ireland, BBC Sports reported.
The rider from Lombardstown in County Cork, Ireland, was treated on the track and then transported to hospital by air ambulance where he remained until his death just five days before his 25th birthday, according to the outlet.
O'Sullivan was named champion rider under 21 in 2019, before turning professional in September 2022. His career took off a year later when he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale, per BBC Sports.
He rode 95 winners in Ireland and Britain throughout his career. He also won the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty and was crowned the champion conditional in Ireland with 32 winners, per the UK newspaper The Guardian.
'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,' Pugh continued. 'Michael's success and his humility will have inspired many and I share the feeling of loss today with all those who knew him.'
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CEO of the IHRB, Darragh O'Loughlin, said per the press release, '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.'
O'Sullivan is survived by his parents Bernadette and William and his brother Alan.
Sporting events at Punchestown and various other locations in Ireland due to take place on Sunday, Feb. 16 have been canceled in respect of the news of O'Sullivan's death.
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