Michael O'Sullivan: Jockey, 24, dies following fall in race

New York Times

16-02-2025

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan has died following injuries suffered in a fall in a race.
In a statement on behalf of his family the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) announced the 24-year-old Irishman had passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
O'Sullivan was riding Wee Charlie when he was one of three to fall at the final fence of the Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase on February 6 at Thurles Racecourse in County Tipperary, Ireland.
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He was taken by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital and placed in intensive care. The remainder of the meeting was cancelled.
'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 in a statement.
On behalf of the O'Sullivan family, it is with profound sadness that the IHRB confirms the passing of Michael O'Sullivan pic.twitter.com/LIo58toZpy
— IHRB (@ihrb_ie) February 16, 2025
'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 his 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 O'Sullivan was 'an exceptionally talented young rider' who will be 'deeply missed by everyone in racing'.
'Michael was an exceptionally talented young rider who was always popular in the weighroom,' O'Loughlin said in a statement. '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.'
O'Sullivan rode 95 winners in total in his career with his most noted victory coming at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 in guiding Marine Nationale to a win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He also won aboard Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle that year.
Racing at Punchestown on Sunday and the point-to-point fixtures at Knockanard, Nenagh and Tinahely have all been cancelled as a mark of respect, the IHRB added.
(David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)