Latest news with #DuhallowPonyClub
Sky News
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Funeral held for Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan who died after fall aged 24
Leading figures from the world of horseracing joined hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan, who died after falling from his horse earlier this month. Racehorse trainer Willie Mullins and his son, jockey, Patrick Mullins, and former jockey Ruby Walsh, were among those at the service at John the Baptist Church in Glantane, in County Cork, on Wednesday. O'Sullivan, 24, died in hospital on Sunday from injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles Racecourse in County Tipperary on 6 February. Priest Father Gerard Coleman said the jockey lived life to the full in a requiem mass, adding that he packed more into his 24 years than most people do in two lifetimes. O'Sullivan had maturity beyond his years, he said, and a "tremendous understanding". "He understood his horses and that's why he was such a great rider. But he also understood people and that is why he made a lasting impression on everyone and won the hearts of the Irish people," said Father Coleman. "Everyone loved him. He was an incredibly talented and dedicated sportsman and will never be forgotten." The jockey was riding the horse Wee Charlie, for trainer Gerard O'Leary, when he sustained the fatal injuries. He was one of three fallers at the final fence in a two-mile handicap chase at Thurles and the rest of the meeting was abandoned. He was airlifted to the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital, where he died surrounded by his family in the early hours of Sunday. O'Sullivan shot to prominence on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, headlined by his Supreme Novices' Hurdle win on Marine Nationale, just months after turning professional. His coffin was brought to the church from his home in nearby Lombardstown. Young members of the Duhallow Pony Club formed a guard of honour as the cortege passed by in pouring rain. O'Sullivan's riding whip, and a jersey of his local GAA club Kilshannig were put at the front of the church, along with his university degree parchment and family photo albums. The jockey's partner Charlotte spoke of her endless love for him in a poem she read to the church. After the funeral, a horse led the procession to St John's Cemetery for the burial. A minute's silence was held at the afternoon meetings at Ludlow and Doncaster.
Sky News
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Michael O'Sullivan: Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh join mourners at funeral of jockey, 24, who died after fall
Leading figures from the world of horseracing joined hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan, who died after falling from his horse earlier this month. Racehorse trainer Willie Mullins and his son, jockey, Patrick Mullins, and former jockey Ruby Walsh, were among those at the service at John the Baptist Church in Glantane, in County Cork, on Wednesday. O'Sullivan, 24, died in hospital on Sunday from injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles Racecourse in County Tipperary on 6 February. Priest Father Gerard Coleman said the jockey lived life to the full in a requiem mass, adding that he packed more into his 24 years than most people do in two lifetimes. O'Sullivan had maturity beyond his years, he said, and a "tremendous understanding". "He understood his horses and that's why he was such a great rider. But he also understood people and that is why he made a lasting impression on everyone and won the hearts of the Irish people," said Father Coleman. "Everyone loved him. He was an incredibly talented and dedicated sportsman and will never be forgotten." The jockey was riding the horse Wee Charlie, for trainer Gerard O'Leary, when he sustained the fatal injuries. He was one of three fallers at the final fence in a two-mile handicap chase at Thurles and the rest of the meeting was abandoned. He was airlifted to the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital, where he died surrounded by his family in the early hours of Sunday. O'Sullivan shot to prominence on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, headlined by his Supreme Novices' Hurdle win on Marine Nationale, just months after turning professional. His coffin was brought to the church from his home in nearby Lombardstown. Young members of the Duhallow Pony Club formed a guard of honour as the cortege passed by in pouring rain. O'Sullivan's riding whip, and a jersey of his local GAA club Kilshannig were put at the front of the church, along with his university degree parchment and family photo albums. The jockey's partner Charlotte spoke of her endless love for him in a poem she read to the church. After the funeral, a horse led the procession to St John's Cemetery for the burial. A minute's silence was held at the afternoon meetings at Ludlow and Doncaster.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jockey Michael O'Sullivan won the hearts of the Irish people, funeral hears
Jockey Michael O'Sullivan won the hearts of the Irish people, his funeral has heard. The 24-year-old Cheltenham Festival-winning rider, from Co Cork, died in hospital on Sunday from injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles Racecourse in Co Tipperary earlier in the month. Hundreds of mourners gathered amid pouring rain at John the Baptist Church in Glantane, in Co Cork, on Wednesday for requiem mass. Priest Fr Gerard Coleman told the service that O'Sullivan lived life to the full, and packed more into his 24 years than most people do in two lifetimes. He said he had maturity beyond his years, and a 'tremendous understanding'. 'He understood his horses and that's why he was such a great rider,' said the priest. 'But he also understood people and that is why he made a lasting impression on everyone and won the hearts of the Irish people. 'Everyone loved him. He was an incredibly talented and dedicated sportsman and will never be forgotten.' The jockey was riding the horse Wee Charlie, for trainer Gerard O'Leary, when he sustained the fatal injuries. He was one of three fallers at the final fence in a two-mile handicap chase at Thurles on February 6. The rest of the meeting was abandoned as the air ambulance arrived to take O'Sullivan to hospital. He was treated in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Sunday surrounded by his parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, partner Charlotte and extended family. O'Sullivan shot to prominence on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, headlined by his Supreme Novices' Hurdle win on Marine Nationale, just months after turning professional. Ahead of the funeral, O'Sullivan's coffin was brought to the church from his home in nearby Lombardstown. Young members of the Duhallow Pony Club formed a guard of honour as the cortege passed by. O'Sullivan's riding whip was among items brought to the altar to symbolise his life. A jersey of his local GAA club Kilshannig was also placed at the front of the church, as was his university degree parchment and family photo albums. The service, which was attended by several well known figures from the racing world, began with a eulogy from O'Sullivan's father. He thanked all the emergency services who had treated his son and also praised the community for the support offered to the family. 'While we are broken hearted, we will now focus on what Michael would want for us,' he said. 'He would want us to mend over time, he would want us to support Alan in his life choices and find joy in his achievements. 'He would want us to find joy in the achievements of his cousins and friends and his many weighing room colleagues. May you all stay safe. 'Michael will forever be in our hearts and minds.' Near the close of the service, the jockey's partner Charlotte spoke of her endless love for him in a poem she read to the church. After the funeral, O'Sullivan's coffin was taken onward for burial at St John's Cemetery. A horse led the funeral procession away from the church.
