The devastating news we all feared became a reality in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the IHRB announcing the passing of Michael O’Sullivan, just a few days shy of his 25th birthday.
The racing world has been deep in mourning since, with Punchestown and point-to-point fixtures on Sunday all cancelled as a mark of respect.
The meeting scheduled for Thurles on Thursday has also been abandoned, with O’Sullivan’s injuries sustained at that Co. Tipperary venue on February 6th.
A son of William and Bernadette, the talented pilot was steeped in the racing tradition, with his father enjoying his finest moment in the saddle when partnering Lovely Citizen to victory in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in 1991.
Owned and bred by his late grandfather Owen, that bay gelding was trained by his uncle Eugene, who is of course the father of leading lady rider Maxine.
His younger brother Alan has also followed the family tradition and while predominantly plying his trade in point-to-points, he has five track wins to his name.
Packing a lot into his shortened life, O’Sullivan graduated from University College Dublin with an Agricultural Science degree and registered 34 winners ‘between the flags’, claiming the title of champion under-21 rider on the completion of the 2018-19 campaign.
Further accolades followed on the racecourse, with the Mallow native crowned champion conditional in 2023, just eight months after he had turned professional.
Winning three Grade 1s in that breakout 2022-23 season, he enjoyed a memorable double on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
First partnering Marine Nationale to victory for long-time ally Barry Connell in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he later guided Jazzy Matty to a narrow success in the Fred Winter.
While his association with Connell came to an end in November of last year, he had developed new alliances as a freelance rider.
Spending time in France last year, he rode three winners there for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, showing off his linguistical skills in the aftermath of his Auteuil success in June by conducting a post-race interview in French.
Teaming up with Willie Mullins, which was becoming an ever more frequent occurrence, he guided Embassy Gardens to victory in the Grade 3 season feature at Tramore on New Year’s Day, while also riding a winner for Ted Walsh that same afternoon.
Always mannerly, never cocky or arrogant, O’Sullivan was a credit to his parents, those who helped raise him and the community he came from.
The countless heartfelt tributes that have flowed since his passing are testament to his character, with the bright, ambitious young consummate professional leaving an indelible mark on not just those who knew him, but the entire horse racing community.
In a final act of bravery, O’Sullivan’s organs were donated and in the words of Ruby Walsh writing in Monday’s Irish Examiner; ‘some lucky soul somewhere got one huge, healthy and brave heart yesterday when Michael’s was handed over.’
The below is taken from his death notice published on rip.ie, where many pages of condolences have been left by people from all over Ireland and further afield.
“Michael had accomplished so much in his short life.
“As a family we are so incredibly proud not only of his achievements in the saddle, but of the extraordinary young man he had become.
“He was full of kindness, integrity, ambition and love, always striving to be the best person he could be.”
Deepest sympathies go to Michael’s family, his partner and many friends, along with his weighing room colleagues, who have yet again been reminded of the stark dangers they encounter whilst pursuing their dreams.
WHAT’S COMING UP
With O’Sullivan’s funeral on Wednesday, National Hunt racing won’t resume until Thursday, with the original Thurles fixture cancelled and replaced by Punchestown.
Action again takes place at the Co. Kildare venue on Friday, while Fairyhouse and Naas take centre stage at the weekend.