Tag Archive for: Michael O’Sullivan

Marine Nationale ensures Michael O’Sullivan’s legacy is carried forward

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Few stages in sport can stir the soul like the Cheltenham Festival and emotion washed over Prestbury Park once more following Marine Nationale’s poignant victory in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

It is two years since Barry Connell’s stable star roared up the famous hill to claim the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle under one of the rising stars of the weighing room in Michael O’Sullivan, whose tragic death just a few short weeks ago rocked the sport to its core.

O’Sullivan’s memory was honoured with the curtain-raising Supreme carrying his name on Tuesday – and little over 24 hours later, the horse who defined his brilliant if all too brief career rediscovered his very best to put his name on the roll of honour for one of National Hunt racing’s most coveted prizes.

Marine Nationale missed last year’s Festival due to injury and had struggled to rediscover his very best form since, but owner-trainer Connell remained adamant his pride and joy was heading in the right direction following successive placed finishes in Grade Ones at Leopardstown this season.

Punters ultimately agreed, with the eight-year-old going to post as the 5-1 second-favourite in the hands of Sean Flanagan before he proved his worth with a dominant 18-length success.

“We expected him to win today. He won the Supreme the way he won the race today,” said Connell.

“He was basically a novice coming into the race today. He only had two runs last year, so we had to bring him along. We started low-key in Naas and then we went to Leopardstown at Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival and he jumped great.

“That was a savage round of jumping today and I love this race. I’ve been coming here since the 1980s and you guys will all remember Viking Flagship and Remittance Man and all those horses. It’s just the epitome of racing to me over jumps as it’s pure speed, flat out and you can’t make a mistake.

“The horses finish out the race. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to win a Gold Cup, but if I had the choice I would definitely prefer to win this race today.”

Sean Flanagan celebrates winning the Champion Chase on Marine Nationale
Sean Flanagan celebrates winning the Champion Chase on Marine Nationale (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Connell was keen to dedicate the success to O’Sullivan, with his former retained rider’s girlfriend Charlotte Giles part of the pre-race preparation and the post-race celebrations.

He added: “This place has a habit of writing the most unbelievable stories. It’s a bit like Honeysuckle (winning the Mares’ Hurdle) after Jack de Bromhead died.

“I’m stunned and it probably won’t be until later that it sinks in. I’ve been fortunate to come here and ride a couple of winners here at the November meeting and I’ve owned winners here before, but training winners is on another level altogether.

“Charlotte was helping to tack him up and we got her in the photograph. I’ve spent a good bit of time with her in the last couple of weeks, and the family as well, and any little thing we can do to help everybody involved we will do.

“It’s been a heart-wrenching time for everybody. I’m sure he would be proud.”

Barry Connell and Sean Flanagan
Barry Connell and Sean Flanagan (Mike Egerton/PA)

Giving the final word to Marine Nationale, Connell said: “He’s only eight and that’s his 11th run, so there’s no reason why he can’t come back as a nine and 10-year-old.

“It is a very lucky place for me and luck goes a long way in racing, but you need the good horses as well and he is a superstar.”

Flanagan came in for the ride earlier this season and felt he had some help in the saddle.

“I suppose a certain amount of pressure came with it because of everything else involved in it. I spoke to Michael about him before I started riding him and obviously fate was what it was, but the horse is what he is today because Michael made him what he is,” said the jockey.

“I got a little pocket down on the rail and went a little bit right all the way, but I had a clear passage and a clear round and jumped fantastic.

“I was anxious down the hill I was getting there too soon. Quilixios was carrying me well into the race and I was kind of waiting for Jonbon.

“I haven’t seen the replay so I don’t know what happened to him, but my horse has gone and done it well and I suppose he’s trying to make Michael proud.”

Michael O’Sullivan’s girlfriend Charlotte Giles reflects on poignant double

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The late Michael O’Sullivan’s presence was felt at Cheltenham on Wednesday afternoon when both of his former winning Festival rides prevailed again, with his girlfriend and family looking on.

The young rider, who was approaching his 25th birthday, died from injuries incurred from a fall at Thurles in February, a loss that stunned the racing industry both in Britain and his native Ireland.

The finest moment of his career came aboard Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, with this year’s renewal of the same race named in his honour.

On that same afternoon, he landed the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Jazzy Matty, thus becoming the leading rider after day one of the meeting that year.

It was therefore incredibly poignant when Marine Nationale was victorious in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, a win that was then followed by Jazzy Matty’s success in the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase for Cian Collins.

Charlotte Giles, who was O’Sullivan’s girlfriend, was on course to see both successes and was in the paddock to welcome back Marine Nationale after his emotional triumph, before being embraced by the Queen when the trophy presentation for the race was made.

“Michael loved the horse very much, they started their careers together and went on a journey together,” she said.

“The horse has certainly put his heart and soul into today and it means a lot.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Style Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Marine Nationale in the winner’s enclosure after winning the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, with Charlotte Giles fourth left (Andrew Matthews/PA).

“At the last jump, I kind of got a bit of a fright, but Michael was certainly with him every step of the way and it was incredible to watch it.

“I think the horse has shown what a connection he had with Michael, they understood each other and Michael always rated the horse so highly.

“In moments like this, we get a great sense that he is here with us. I think it’s moments like this that show he is here with us and he’ll always be there.”

Jazzy Matty does his bit to honour memory of Michael O’Sullivan

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Only 40 minutes after Marine Nationale stormed to the Queen Mother Champion Chase title, Jazzy Matty further honoured the memory of the late Michael O’Sullivan at Cheltenham with a poignant success in the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.

O’Sullivan enjoyed a fine day one of the 2023 Festival when registering a memorable double aboard both Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty and two years later, both were back to triumph again in the late jockey’s memory at Prestbury Park.

Jazzy Matty has switched hands to Cian Collins since his previous Festival success, but his course form was exemplary and the 15-2 chance was always travelling stylishly in the ultra-competitive two-mile event.

Left to fight out the finish with defending champion Unexpected Party, it was the Irish raider who came out on top thanks to a fine ride from Danny Gilligan who was enjoying his second Festival success.

Mervyn Gray of the Top Man Racing syndicate said: “We just can’t believe it. We gave him a great chance at the weights and the race went like a dream, he pinged every fence.

“Somebody is looking over us today and our thoughts and hearts are with Michael.”

Collins added: “It’s unbelievable. We were very hopeful coming here today, but it’s Cheltenham and we needed a lot of luck on our side. We had that. I said that that – Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty winning – doesn’t happen often. This is for Michael.”

He added: “He’s gone from strength to strength since we got him. He really enjoys the way we train, and it’s unbelievable to have got this today. It’s been a long couple of weeks before today – we only had one horse coming over and a lot of time and effort has gone into him.

“Everyone at home in the yard – we’ve a great team and to get this is unbelievable. To win on the big stage means so much and hopefully showcases that we can get one ready for the big day as well.”

Earlier on the card, Jimmy Du Seuil came out on top as Willie and Danny Mullins teamed up to great effect in the Coral Cup.

The six-year-old was a 16-1 chance when returning from a long absence from the track, with his last run coming at Punchestown in May last year.

It was also his handicap debut but none of those factors stood in his way and he took up the lead just after the final flight and accelerated up the hill to defeat Impose Toi by three lengths.

Winning rider Mullins was quick to praise his uncle: “It was some training performance after a year off the track and he had a nice bit of form with Ballyburn. But it was his first time round here, and to jump so well through the race I was obviously delighted.

“All Willie’s have a chance of winning which makes our job so much easier. I did miss out the third-last, but on the whole I was taking lengths off them down the back. My first Festival winner for Willie and obviously I’m delighted to have done that.”

William Munny upholds memory of Michael O’Sullivan in fine Supreme run

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Barry Connell was a proud man having watched William Munny run a huge race to be second in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Two years ago the Connell-trained Marine Nationale famously won the Festival opener when ridden by O’Sullivan, who tragically died aged 24 last month following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles.

Several of O’Sullivan’s family and friends were on course to witness William Munny force odds-on favourite Kopek Des Bordes to pull out all the stops before eventually going down by a length and three-quarters.

“It is very poignant with the connection with Michael. He started his career in our yard as a 7lb-claiming amateur and ended the season winning the Supreme and being leading rider after the Tuesday at the Festival,” said Connell.

“I’d only had my licence a couple of years and we went on a magical journey together. It’s very emotional today for obvious reasons – and will be again tomorrow with Marine Nationale in the Queen Mother.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a good bit of time with his family and friends over the last while and the family are all here, his girlfriend is here. I think they appreciate the support they have got from the whole racing community in Ireland and in England, it’s a great consolation for them.”

As for the horse’s performance, Connell was thrilled and said: “He was very long at the fifth-last, the fourth-last and the third-last and he really put the whole thing together today, which he hadn’t really been doing.

“He jumped brilliant, he travelled well and it was a very deep race today. I’d say the winner is very good, so is the second and there was only a length between them at the end as they pulled well clear of the third, so I’m delighted with our guy.

“In his bumper runs he was way too keen and he was in his first two hurdle runs, so we had to change a few things and you’ve seen the end result today. It would have been nice to win, but we’re as happy as you can be without winning.

“He’s a chaser of the future. Sean (Flanagan, jockey) mentioned the Champion Hurdle, but he’s six now and I’d say he’ll be back here for the Arkle next year.

“That was a really good race, I think this was so strong, there will be buckets of winners coming out of it.

“He’s a big, scopey horse and I was surprised when he was long at those hurdles he was able to get over them like he did.

“We haven’t schooled him over fences, but we probably will before the end of the season.

“He has course and distance form here which is huge so we’ll probably go to Punchestown and gear up to come back for the Arkle.”

Mullins keen to keep Kopek cool in what will be an emotionally-charged Supreme test

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Emotions will be running high ahead of the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, but Willie Mullins is looking to keep a lid on Kopek Des Bordes for the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser.

In a race run this year in memory of O’Sullivan, who died last month at the age of 24 following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, the hot favourite will be fitted with a hood after taking a keen hold under Paul Townend at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown last time out.

The fact that Kopek Des Bordes still had enough energy to eventually power clear for a spectacular 13-length Grade One success is an ominous sign for his rivals, but Mullins clearly wants to curb his enthusiasm at Prestbury Park.

Mullins said: “Paul got off the horse after the race and said he ran away with him three times in the race. Most normal horses, if you run away with a jockey once, that’s enough, their winning chance has gone.

“But he was running away with him through the race, then when a loose horse came up, I was watching it unfold and thought ‘this is going to drive this fellow mad’ – which it did.

“He went on two or three lengths around the second-last bend coming to the second-last hurdle and then Paul got a grip on him again before he went away up the straight.

“It was a huge performance; we’d never ask a horse that question at home, and it blew my mind what he did at Leopardstown, against a field of top-class horses.”

The Closutton handler will field half of the 12 runners as he goes in search of a record-extending eighth victory in a race he has previously won with Tourist Attraction, Ebaziyan, Champagne Fever, Vautour, Douvan, Klassical Dream and Appreciate It.

While Townend sticks with Kopek Des Bordes, Patrick Mullins will partner Salvator Mundi, who was sixth in last year’s Triumph but returns to Prestbury Park with a Grade Two strike at Punchestown in January on his CV.

Punchestown Races – Sunday January 12th
Salvator Mundi winning at Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA).

“He has a very tender mouth, as we saw in Punchestown, and I think he has a lot of tactical speed when he wants it, but he didn’t jump so well because they were going so slow the other day,” said Mullins. “He’s going to need it I think, with Kopek Des Bordes in the race.

“The race the other day was inconclusive, but the thing I liked about it was after looking like he had blown up at the second-last, once he got his second wind, he came through and won convincingly. For me, it takes a good horse to do that.”

Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio was a £420,000 purchase two years ago but has gone some way towards justifying that price tag, finishing second in last season’s Champion Bumper and this term landing a Grade Two novice hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas by nine lengths.

Elliott said: “He was very good at Christmas; obviously Willie’s horse was very good at the Dublin Racing Festival and you’d have to be impressed with him, but our lad has been to Cheltenham and run a good race.

“I think we learnt a lot from him getting beat in Fairyhouse (at the start of December). We were riding him for speed and a bit like Brighterdaysahead, he’s got a good cruising speed, so we rode a no nonsense race with him in Leopardstown and it really suited him.

Ladbrokes Festival of Racing 2024 – Day Two – Down Royal
Romeo Coolio in action at Down Royal (Brian Lawless/PA).

“I think that will suit in the Supreme as well, as if you can get out handy and they can jump and travel, it can suit.

“We’ve been placed with horses that hadn’t as high a profile as him going into the Supreme, so I think he’s got a good chance, but I was very impressed with Willie’s horse.”

Workahead is another who has been given a break since making all to win a Boxing Day maiden by seven lengths. Henry de Bromhead said: “He certainly looked really exciting at Christmas, we were delighted with him.

“He ran nicely at Navan when he hadn’t run for a long time, but he looked different gravy at Leopardstown and you’d have to be very excited about him. Obviously, it looks a very good Supreme again, but I think we’re bang there.

“We’ve Sky Lord in that as well. He was good the first day in Cork and he didn’t really act around that inside track at Punchestown the last day, but he was beaten less than four lengths by Salvator Mundi, so he’s not far off it as well.”

William Munny with connections after winning at Punchestown
William Munny with connections after winning at Punchestown (Gary Carson/PA)

There will not be a dry eye in the house if William Munny were to prevail in the colours of owner-trainer Barry Connell carried to victory by O’Sullivan and Marine Nationale two years ago.

This seven-year-old had to settle for second best behind Workahead at Leopardstown and then Kawaboomga at Fairyhouse, but made it third time lucky over timber in fine style at Punchestown last month.

Connell commented: “It wasn’t much of a race, but he won easily last time and it might be luck that we didn’t win the first two times over hurdles and we managed to get a third run into him – a lot of the horses who go for the Supreme are usually going on the back of two runs, so he has that added experience.

“Some of the time experts were talking to me after he finished second to Kawaboomga at Fairyhouse and they were saying the sectionals were really good and the times from that race from the first two would have been good enough to win eight out of the last 10 Supremes.

“That was him doing things completely upside down and you can imagine in Cheltenham and in a Grade One Supreme, they are going to go a reasonable gallop and I think it will suit him. I think he has the ability to be right there at the last and in contention – and after that, the best horse will win.”

Connell prepared for ‘highly charged’ return to Cheltenham

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Barry Connell is predicting an emotionally charged few days, as Marine Nationale and William Munny attempt to honour the memory of the late Michael O’Sullivan at the Cheltenham Festival.

O’Sullivan suffered a fall at Thurles last month and after spending 10 days in intensive care at Cork University Hospital, it was announced he had died from his injuries at just 24 years of age

He will always be inextricably linked with both Connell and his stable star Marine Nationale, having enjoyed his finest hour aboard the horse when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2023, a ride that received plenty of plaudits and gave a glimpse of the young jockey’s talent in the saddle.

Barry Connell (left) with Michael O’Sullivan after winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale
Barry Connell (left) with Michael O’Sullivan after winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Supreme will this time be run in O’Sullivan’s name, with William Munny set to sport Connell’s yellow silks and dark blue sash in the Festival opener and the County Kildare handler admits it will be a different feel to usual at this year’s Festival.

“It’s been raw for the last few weeks since Michael had the incident in Thurles then sadly passed away and he had been a huge part of our operation for a couple of years,” said Connell.

“He was a 7lb-claiming amateur when he joined us and left having ridden three Grade One winners. He turned professional with us, was champion conditional and leading rider after the first day of the Cheltenham Festival – and the two of us went on an amazing journey together with Marine and Good Land.

“It’s been a massive shock and tragic and it has hit everybody. Going to Cheltenham with the Supreme being named after him and Marine also running in the Champion Chase, it’s going to be very emotional.

“At the best of times, Cheltenham is always an emotional place, but it’s going to be highly charged and I imagine it will be something like the year Jack de Bromhead died and Honeysuckle ran.

“The racing community is a small parish and everyone knows each other and the support network that has been there for the family has been fantastic. I think most of the family are going over and hopefully they can take further comfort from that – and I know they are pleased the Supreme will be run in Michael’s honour.

“We’re going there and we know it’s going to be emotional, but hopefully we will fly the flag.”

Marine Nationale will be returning to Prestbury Park for the first time since that memorable opening day of the 2023 Festival and Connell is hoping a trip back to the Cotswolds is a huge positive for his Queen Mother Champion Chase contender.

Second to Solness in Grade One events in Ireland the last twice, he is the general second-favourite to Jonbon in the Champion Chase betting, with his trainer feeling we are still to see the best of the eight-year-old over the larger obstacles.

Marine Nationale will take on Jonbon at Cheltenham
Marine Nationale will take on Jonbon at Cheltenham (Niall Carson/PA)

Connell said: “Marine Nationale is a course winner on the Old course over hurdles and that is a big plus, we know he handles the place. The ground looks like it’s going to be dry, which is a big help, and his temperament is bombproof.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him over fences yet and what you have to remember is he only had two runs in our novice chasing season last year. Basically, we were coming into this season playing catch-up and he’s still only had five runs over fences, so you could say he’s still a bit of a novice, albeit a second-season novice.

“Solness, who has beaten him the last twice, has had 17 runs over fences and Marine Nationale’s profile is that he improves as the season goes on.

“If you go back and look at his runs over hurdles, he won an ordinary novice hurdle at Punchestown but then took a massive step up in the Royal Bond and then improved again to win the Supreme – and hopefully it will be the same again.”

Connell could also field Nine Graces in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase, while he has high hopes William Munny is getting the hang of hurdling at the right time to prove a fitting contender in the Festival curtain-raiser run in his former stable jockey’s name.

“He’s by Westerner and they just tend to be a bit keen, but he has an awful amount of talent,” Connell said of William Munny.

“He won his first two bumpers and then was third in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown, but again he was way too keen and the same thing happened in his first two runs over hurdles this year.

“He was just running with the choke out and not listening to the jockey and he wasn’t jumping properly and made plenty of mistakes as a result.

“The third time at Punchestown, in the Listed race, we dropped him in and he didn’t settle fully, but he was definitely more settled and it was the first time he put in a full round of jumping and he bolted up.

“I think he has the ability to be right there at the last and in contention – and after that, the best horse will win. I definitely think he will be a contender.”

Supreme renamed in honour of Michael O’Sullivan

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Michael O’Sullivan will be honoured at the Cheltenham Festival with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to be run in his memory.

The young jockey enjoyed his finest hour in the saddle when winning the race aboard Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale in 2023, the first success of a red-letter day as he would go on to land the Fred Winter on Gordon Elliott’s Jazzy Matty during the same afternoon.

O’Sullivan suffered a fall at Thurles earlier this month and after spending 10 days in intensive care at Cork University Hospital, it was announced he had died from his injuries at just 24 years of age.

His loss has left the sport deeply shaken and he will be very much in the minds of those attending the Festival, where he is to be formally remembered in the naming of the opening race of the meeting.

The Supreme is sponsored by Sky Bet, who in conjunction with the Jockey Club have renamed the race The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for 2025.

The O’Sullivan family said in a statement: “We are deeply proud of Michael’s incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing.

“Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.

“As a family, we have always admired Michael’s achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way. The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.

“We would like to sincerely thank the Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael’s memory and celebrate his remarkable career.”

Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, added: “Michael was an outstanding jockey and recognised by everyone as a wonderful young man.

“When you read the heartfelt tributes paid to him over these past days, you can see how highly regarded he was in the racing community on both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond.

“Given that it was at Cheltenham that Michael enjoyed his biggest success as a rider back on that magical Tuesday afternoon in 2023, we felt it was only right to pay tribute to Michael in this way.

“Our sincere thanks go to our sponsors of this race, Sky Bet, for making it possible. All our thoughts continue to be with Michael’s family, friends and weighing-room colleagues at this difficult time and for allowing us to pay tribute in this way.”

Rachael Blackmore: Unshakeable sadness over racing at the moment

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Rachael Blackmore has spoken of the “unshakeable sadness” surrounding racing following the death of fellow jockey Michael O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan, 24, died on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 26.

His funeral took place on Wednesday and tributes have poured in from the racing world for the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider, who famously partnered Marine Nationale to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023.

Blackmore, the only woman to ride the winner of the Grand National and also successful in the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup, said the weighing room was now a “different place”.

“There is an unshakeable sadness over racing at the moment. What we think will never happen… happened,” she told Betfair.

“The weigh room I know is different now. Michael will never be forgotten. All our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

William Munny puts Supreme case with poignant Punchestown success

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William Munny will bid to provide Barry Connell with a second victory in Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival following a poignant success at Punchestown on Thursday.

Owner-trainer Connell landed the traditional Festival curtain-raiser with Marine Nationale two years ago, a horse ridden by the late Michael O’Sullivan, who died aged 24 on Sunday as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles two weeks ago.

Punchestown’s Sunday fixture was cancelled and rescheduled as a mark of respect, with O’Sullivan’s funeral taking place on Wednesday. A minute’s silence was held before racing got under way.

Carrying the Marine Nationale silks, William Munny was the 4-6 favourite in the hands of Sean Flanagan for the Madigan Group Irish EBF Sheila Bourke Novice Hurdle, having finished second to two smart performers on his first couple of runs over hurdles in Workahead and Kawaboomga.

Those who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns, with the seven-year-old travelling powerfully throughout the two-mile Listed contest before pulling 15 lengths clear under Sean Flanagan.

An emotional Connell said: “The first thing I want to say is that we’re all thinking about Michael and his family today. This is the first winner in those colours since.

“This horse has been doing everything wrong in his hurdle races. He’s been way too keen, making mistakes and he’s still running to figures to suggest that he’s there or thereabouts winning a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The late Michael O'Sullivan celebrates winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Marine Nationale
The late Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Marine Nationale (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Today he settled away better and jumped better. He has so much natural ability this horse that he can’t understand why the riders want to take him back.

“He’s hardly having a blow there today, that was his last piece of work before the Supreme.

“He’s put himself right in the picture there.”

Paddy Power cut William Munny’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds to 20-1 from 25-1 in their non-runner no bet market and he is set to be one of three Festival runners for Connell, with Marine Nationale heading back to Cheltenham for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Nine Graces in line for a handicap outing.

“We have Marine Nationale for the Champion Chase and Nine Graces for the Kim Muir. Marine Nationale came out of his last run at Leopardstown excellent. He’s improving 10lb every time he runs because he’s effectively a novice,” Connell added.

“I think he will step forward. He loves the spring and he’s a course and distance winner on the Old course and his temperament is bombproof.

“When he won the Supreme Novice it rained a lot the night before and the ground was tacky but better ground would be a help.

“I wouldn’t swap him for anything in the race, I think he’s definitely the best Irish horse going over there, whether he beats Jonbon or not is another matter but he’s in great nick.”

Michael O’Sullivan won the hearts of the Irish people, funeral hears

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Jockey Michael O’Sullivan won the hearts of the Irish people, his funeral 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.

Michael O'Sullivan enjoyed a day never to be forgotten when winning at Cheltenham with Marine Nationale
Michael O’Sullivan enjoyed a day never to be forgotten when winning at Cheltenham with Marine Nationale (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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.

Ruby Walsh attends the funeral of Michael O’Sullivan
Ruby Walsh attends the funeral of Michael O’Sullivan (Brian Lawless/PA)

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 – including Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh – 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 brokenhearted, we will now focus on what Michael would want for us,” he said.

The hearse carrying the coffin of Michael O’Sullivan is led by the racehorse Barr Na Sraide away from the grounds following the funeral at St John the Baptist Church, Glantane
The hearse carrying the coffin of Michael O’Sullivan is led by the racehorse Barr Na Sraide away from the grounds following the funeral at St John the Baptist Church, Glantane (Brian Lawless/PA)

“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.

In Britain, a minute’s silence was held at the afternoon meetings at Ludlow and Doncaster.

Funeral of jockey Michael O’Sullivan taking place

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The funeral of Irish jockey Michael O’Sullivan is taking place in Co Cork.

The 24-year-old Cheltenham Festival-winning rider died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles on February 6.

Mourners gathered amid pouring rain at John the Baptist Church in Glantane, Co Cork on Wednesday for requiem mass.

O’Sullivan will be later laid to rest at St John’s Cemetery.

A message from his family ahead of the service said that after “a trojan battle” to recover from his injuries in the intensive care unit of Cork University Hospital, O’Sullivan died on February 16 – a few days short of his 25th birthday.

The family have spoken of their pride in an “extraordinary young man”.

The jockey died surrounded by his parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, partner Charlotte and extended family.

The family statement added: “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.

“Michael will be very sadly missed by Bernie, William, Alan, grandmother ‘Granny Mary’, aunts, uncles, cousins, Charlotte, his many friends as well as his weigh-room colleagues and the wider racing community.”

O’Sullivan shot to prominence when riding a double on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, headlined by his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success on Marine Nationale, just months after turning professional.

Thurles cancelled as track pays its respects to O’Sullivan

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Thursday’s meeting at Thurles has been cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Michael O’Sullivan on Sunday.

O’Sullivan, 24, was injured in a fall at the track on February 6 and had remained in the intensive care unit of Cork University Hospital since.

Sunday’s Punchestown meeting was called off subsequently and that card will now be run on Thursday instead, with Thurles cancelled as part of the changes.

Wednesday’s scheduled meeting at Punchestown has been put back to Friday, with O’Sullivan’s funeral taking place at 12pm on Wednesday.

An official notice was posted online on Sunday evening, along with a tribute from his family in which they spoke of their pride in an “extraordinary young man”.

It read: “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.

“Michael will be very sadly missed by Bernie, William, Alan, grandmother ‘Granny Mary’, aunts, uncles, cousins, Charlotte, his many friends as well as his weigh-room colleagues and the wider racing community.”

O’Sullivan shot to prominence when riding a double on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, headlined by his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success on Marine Nationale, just months after turning professional.

Willie Mullins leads tributes to Michael O’Sullivan

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Willie Mullins has paid tribute to “natural rider” Michael O’Sullivan following the jockey’s death at the age of 24 on Sunday morning.

The Cheltenham Festival-winning rider shot to prominence in 2023 and had since been regularly called up by Mullins to partner some of his superstars, with the duo enjoying big-race success with Embassy Gardens at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

O’Sullivan was airlifted to hospital following a fall at Thurles on February 6 and had been in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital since.

He finished second on his final ride for Mullins at Thurles that afternoon and the Closutton handler remembered a “very modest, friendly and understated” man.

Michael O'Sullivan pictured with Embassy Gardens having won at Tramore on New Year's Day
Michael O’Sullivan pictured with Embassy Gardens having won at Tramore on New Year’s Day (PA)

Mullins told the PA news agency: “It’s dreadful news which puts all our problems into context. He will be much missed here and there is a real sadness over the whole of Closutton today.

“He was here two mornings a week and was very much a part of the team at Closutton and his part here was only going to get bigger. He was such a natural rider who was very modest, friendly and understated.

“He had a great understanding of horses and racing and given the horse, he was the man.

“I think Closutton will be a much poorer place without him and we, as a family, will miss him. He will be much missed in the yard and we have his family in our thoughts and our prayers are for them now.”

Jazzy Matty and jockey Michael O’Sullivan after their Cheltenham win
Jazzy Matty and jockey Michael O’Sullivan after their Cheltenham win (Tim Goode/PA)

Fellow trainer Gordon Elliott also enjoyed success with O’Sullivan, most notably when teaming up with Jazzy Matty for victory in the 2023 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott said: “It’s a terrible tragedy for racing and today is about remembering Michael. We had some great moments on track together, including when winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. We send our deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Joey Logan, who was racing manager to Jazzy Matty’s former owners Andy and Gemma Brown, added: “Words can’t describe what his family and friends and everyone who knew him in the industry is going through at the moment.

“To ride a Cheltenham Festival winner for the Brown family was amazing and I will never forget how delighted he was to do that and the smile on his face that day was second to none.

“The way he delivered the horse that day, he was so cool and calm about it. He was such a young man and the world was in front of him. He was always in good form and he was a man who was always smiling.”

The Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale propelled O’Sullivan into the spotlight with his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle win two years ago and the jockey subsequently expanded his contacts to ride for many other handlers.

He had forged a recent association with the French-based team of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, winning the Prix de Chantilly aboard Gurzuf in June 2024, while also tasting success together at Hereford and Bangor earlier this season.

George said: “He was going to be a future star who has been taken from us far too early, but most importantly he was a great person and great person to be around and just an all-round good guy.

“On behalf of all the French racing community, we would like to send our sympathies and condolences to all his friends and family. We are all thinking of them and they are the people who made Michael into the great person he was and our thoughts are with them.”

Andrew Coonan, secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association, hailed O’Sullivan’s talent in the saddle and underlined the inherent risk of race-racing.

He said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague, Michael. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his father, William, his mother, Bernadette, his brother, Alan and girlfriend, Charlotte.

“Jockeys face the risks of race-riding every day, but it is only when a tragedy like this befalls us that those full risks are truly realised.

“Michael was not only a highly talented rider but also a great friend and colleague to many in the weighroom. We are all the richer for having known him, even though his time with us was far too short.”

Michael O’Sullivan and Marine National
Michael O’Sullivan and Marine National (Brian Lawless/PA)

A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association in Britain read: “The PJA and its members are heartbroken to hear that jockey Michael O’Sullivan has died following injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles.

“Michael was a very talented, popular rider and, with the weighing room being such a close-knit community, his passing will leave a profound sense of loss in Britain as well as Ireland.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family and friends, his weighing-room colleagues and the Irish racing community.”

Horse Racing Ireland’s CEO Suzanne Eade added the authority’s voice to a wave of tributes for the rider.

She said: “My HRI colleagues and I share in the sadness of everyone at this morning’s news of the passing of Michael O’Sullivan.

“Everyone’s thoughts are with Michael’s parents William and Bernadette, his brother Alan, his wider family and with his many friends and colleagues. To them all, we offer our sincerest condolences.

“Coming from a background steeped in racing, Michael made his start in the point-to-point field while a secondary school student and he made his name on the racecourse with a university degree under his belt.

“A champion under-21 point-to-point rider, Michael began the 2022/2023 season as a 7lb claiming amateur and ended the term as our champion conditional jockey with three Grade One winners to his name.

“Michael’s talent shone through for big-race success on National Hunt racing’s greatest stages. Michael was a gentleman. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and everyone can be proud of his many achievements, both on and off the racecourse.

“Michael will be much missed and he will be widely mourned. May he rest in peace.”

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, also offered his condolences to O’Sullivan’s friends and family.

He said: “I was devastated to learn of the death of Michael O’Sullivan earlier today and speak for all involved in British racing when I say that our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this awful time.

“The bonds between the British and Irish racing communities are deep and this unspeakable tragedy will doubtless have a profound impact on many people on both sides of the Irish Sea.

“This has been an extremely difficult week for many in the racing family; support is available and I would urge anybody who feels they need this to reach out to their employer or representative body.”

Gordon Elliott joins many tributes to Michael O’Sullivan

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Leading trainer Gordon Elliott was among those paying tribute to Michael O’Sullivan following the rider’s death at the age of 24 on Sunday morning.

Elliott and the young jockey teamed up on multiple occasions, most notably with Jazzy Matty for victory in the 2023 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott said: “It’s a terrible tragedy for racing and today is about remembering Michael. We had some great moments on track together, including when winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. We send our deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”

O’Sullivan was airlifted to hospital following a fall at Thurles on February 6 and had been in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital since.

Andrew Coonan, secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association, hailed O’Sullivan’s talent in the saddle and underlined the inherent risk of race-racing.

He said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague, Michael. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his father, William, his mother, Bernadette, his brother, Alan and girlfriend, Charlotte.

“Jockeys face the risks of race-riding every day, but it is only when a tragedy like this befalls us that those full risks are truly realised.

“Michael was not only a highly talented rider but also a great friend and colleague to many in the weighroom. We are all the richer for having known him, even though his time with us was far too short.

“May Michael rest in peace.”

A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association in Britain read: “The PJA and its members are heartbroken to hear that jockey Michael O’Sullivan has died following injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles.

“Michael was a very talented, popular rider and, with the weighing room being such a close-knit community, his passing will leave a profound sense of loss in Britain as well as Ireland.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family and friends, his weighing-room colleagues and the Irish racing community.”

Horse Racing Ireland’s CEO Suzanne Eade added the authority’s voice to a wave of tributes for the rider.

She said: “My HRI colleagues and I share in the sadness of everyone at this morning’s news of the passing of Michael O’Sullivan.

“Everyone’s thoughts are with Michael’s parents William and Bernadette, his brother Alan, his wider family and with his many friends and colleagues. To them all, we offer our sincerest condolences.

“Coming from a background steeped in racing, Michael made his start in the point-to-point field while a secondary school student and he made his name on the racecourse with a university degree under his belt.

“A champion under-21 point-to-point rider, Michael began the 2022/2023 season as a 7lb claiming amateur and ended the term as our champion conditional jockey with three Grade One winners to his name.

“Michael’s talent shone through for big-race success on National Hunt racing’s greatest stages. Michael was a gentleman. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and everyone can be proud of his many achievements, both on and off the racecourse.

“Michael will be much missed and he will be widely mourned. May he rest in peace.”

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, also offered his condolences to O’Sullivan’s friends and family.

He said: “I was devastated to learn of the death of Michael O’Sullivan earlier today and speak for all involved in British racing when I say that our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this awful time.

“The bonds between the British and Irish racing communities are deep and this unspeakable tragedy will doubtless have a profound impact on many people on both sides of the Irish Sea.

“This has been an extremely difficult week for many in the racing family; support is available and I would urge anybody who feels they need this to reach out to their employer or representative body.”

Barry Connell pays tribute to ‘very special’ Michael O’Sullivan

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Barry Connell described Michael O’Sullivan as a “bright, rising star” who leaves a lasting legacy following news of his death on Sunday at the age of 24.

The Cheltenham Festival-winning rider was airlifted to hospital following a fall at Thurles on February 6 and had remained in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital since.

O’Sullivan hit the big time when partnering the O’Connell-trained Marine Nationale to win the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, with the pair striking up a partnership when the rider was still a claiming amateur.

Connell told the PA news agency: “He was a bright, rising star as a jockey and we were lucky to have had a very close association with him.

“Everybody in the yard is devastated. He was such a lovely personality to have around the place, he fitted in really well. He was widely liked by his colleagues and everyone who met him.

“He didn’t work full time for us, he came in three days a week and he had other connections he rode for after he turned professional, but he was a pleasure to have around the place and everyone got on really well with him.

“I think everyone in racing is stunned today and all we can do is express our sympathy to his parents, William and Bernadette, and his brother, Alan. He will be sadly missed.”

Michael O'Sullivan in the weighing room at Cheltenham
Michael O’Sullivan in the weighing room at Cheltenham (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

Connell recalled how O’Sullivan had contacted him to ride future star Marine Nationale on his bumper debut in May 2022, with the then 7lb claimer steering him to a clear-cut victory and impressing the trainer in the process.

Marine Nationale won another bumper for the pair before embarking on a dream novice hurdling season that encompassed two Grade One victories, including on the opening day of the Festival when O’Sullivan also rode the Gordon Elliott-trained Jazzy Matty to win the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for a dream double.

Connell said: “I think in early 2022 he’d ridden one point-to-point winner for me before and we had Marine Nationale running in a bumper. We didn’t have an amateur at the time and Michael was a 7lb-claiming amateur, he rang for the ride, we said fine and he won on the horse.

“We were very impressed with him so he came into the yard and started out riding a few days a week. We quickly decided Michael’s talent was very special and he got the job full time riding for us.

Unforgettable scenes at Cheltenham after the victory of Marine Nationale
Unforgettable scenes at Cheltenham after the victory of Marine Nationale (Tim Goode/PA)

“Things happened very quickly after that, he turned professional in September. A matter of weeks after he turned pro, he rode a Grade Two winner for us on Enniskerry as a claimer and then rode Marine Nationale in the Royal Bond in December and gave him a wonderful ride.

“He had a great partnership with the horse which culminated in the Supreme Novices’ and it was fairytale stuff for both myself and Michael on a journey together with the horse.

“Despite being a claimer and having limited experience of Cheltenham, he gave the horse a masterful ride and the icing on the cake was he got a spare ride later in the day and had a double.

“The following day he was in the parade ring to ride Good Land in the other Grade One and one of the officials came out with the golden armband and gave it to me and said ‘put that on Michael’, so he was the leading rider after the first day of Cheltenham which was a remarkable achievement.”

Connell believes O’Sullivan has made a lasting impression on the sport which will not be forgotten.

He said: “I think his legacy will be that he was an inspiration to a lot of the younger lads coming behind that somebody with the talent like his can, given the opportunities, rise to the top. I think that’s a brilliant legacy for him to have.”