Michael O'Sullivan: Irish jockey dies after Thurles fall

Irish jump jockey Michael O'Sullivan has tragically passed away at the young age of 24, following injuries sustained in a fall earlier this month. He had been in intensive care at Cork University Hospital in an induced coma since the accident on February 6th at Thurles in the Republic of Ireland.

Dr. Jennifer Pugh, Chief Medical Officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), stated: "Michael passed away peacefully at Cork University Hospital this morning, surrounded by his family. We extend our deepest gratitude to the multi-disciplinary teams who provided Michael with the best care at the racecourse and at Cork University Hospital."

Dr. Pugh added: "Michael’s family wish to thank everyone for the support they have received over the past few days and appreciate the local community and racing industry for their kindness. The O’Sullivan family have requested privacy at this time." In the fall, O'Sullivan was riding Gerard O'Leary's "Wee Charlie" when he was one of three jockeys to fall at the last fence in the Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase. He was treated at the Thurles track before being airlifted to the hospital. The race meeting was abandoned following the incident.

O'Sullivan rode his first winner in Cork in 2018 and turned professional in September 2022. The following year, he rode "Marine Nationale" to victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, followed by a win with "Jazzy Matty" in the Fred Winter, while he also became champion Irish conditional jockey. Over the course of his career, he rode 95 winners in Ireland and Britain, including 14 in Ireland and 2 in Britain this season.

Dr. Pugh also stated: "At this extremely difficult time, Michael’s family have made the generous decision to donate his organs for the benefit of other patients and indeed that decision will transform the lives of other patients and their families. I was privileged to have known Michael through both his amateur and professional career, and his dedication, his humility and his kind nature always shone through. Michael’s success and his humble attitude will serve as an inspiration to many, and I, like everyone who knew him, am heartbroken today."

Darragh O'Loughlin, CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: "Michael was a very talented young jockey who was popular in the weigh room and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Our sincere condolences to Michael’s family, especially his parents Bernadette and William and his brother Alan, who will feel his loss most deeply."

As a mark of respect, the races at Punchestown on Sunday and Irish point-to-point fixtures have been canceled. O'Sullivan had enjoyed significant success on New Year's Day at Tramore with Willie Mullins-trained "Embassy Gardens," and he also rode Mullins' "Westport Cove" to second place at Thurles on what would be his final afternoon of racing.

Trainer Mullins said: "It's terrible news, it puts everything into perspective for all of us. We're all just so upset here, he was in here two mornings a week, he was an integral part of the team, and he was only getting bigger and bigger in the team. He was just a very natural rider, very unassuming, very kind, very quiet. He had a huge understanding of horses and racing, and he was just the right man on the right horse. I think Closutton will be a poorer place without him, and we, as a family, will miss him. We'll miss him here in the yard, and our thoughts are with his family and we're praying for them."

Barry Connell, trainer of "Marine Nationale," said that everyone in the racing industry was "shocked" by O'Sullivan's death. He said: "He was a very up-and-coming young rider, and we were very lucky to have a very close association with him. Everyone in the yard is devastated. He was a very likeable person, he got on well with everyone around him. He was very popular with his colleagues and everyone that ever met him. I think everyone in racing is just shocked today."

Connell added: "I think his legacy will be that he's inspired a lot of lads coming after him, that someone with his talent, given the opportunity, can get to the top. I think that's a great legacy for him to have."