Jockey Michael O’Sullivan dies aged 24 after fall in race at Thurles | Horse racing

The Irish jockey Michael O’Sullivan has died because of the accidents he suffered in a fall at Thurles on 6 February, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has introduced.

The 24-year-old was driving Wee Charlie for coach Gerard O’Leary and was one among three fallers on the closing fence within the two-mile Racing Once more February twentieth Handicap Chase.

The remainder of the assembly was deserted because the air ambulance arrived to take O’Sullivan to hospital, and it was later confirmed that he was being handled within the intensive care unit at Cork College Hospital, the place he had remained since.

Dr Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer of the IHRB, mentioned in an announcement: “Michael sadly handed away within the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving household in Cork College Hospital.”

“We lengthen our appreciation to the multidisciplinary groups who supplied the perfect of medical care to Michael, each on the racecourse and in Cork College Hospital,” Dr Pugh added.

“I’ve had the privilege of realizing Michael by his novice {and professional} profession and his dedication, modesty and type nature all the time made him a pleasure to be round. Michael’s success and his humility could have impressed many and I share the sensation of loss immediately with all those that knew him.

“Michael’s household wish to reiterate their gratefulness for all of the assist they’ve acquired within the final couple of days and specific their appreciation to the area people and racing household. The O’Sullivan household have requested for privateness at the moment.

Dr Pugh added: “Michael’s household took the choice to donate his organs at this extremely troublesome time, however in doing so made a alternative that may make an actual distinction to the lives of different sufferers and their households.”

Darragh O’Loughlin, CEO of the IHRB, mentioned: “Michael was an exceptionally proficient younger rider who was all the time widespread within the weigh room. Michael will probably be deeply missed by everybody in racing who had the pleasure of realizing him.

“Our hearts exit to Michael’s household, particularly his dad and mom, Bernadette and William and his brother Alan, who will really feel his loss most keenly.”

O’Sullivan started his driving profession on the point-to-point circuit and was topped champion under-21 rider in 2019. His first win below guidelines got here at Cork in 2018 when he guided Wilcosdiana, educated by his uncle, Eugene, to a 47-length victory in a hunter chase, and he turned skilled in September 2022.

It didn’t take O’Sullivan lengthy to make a significant impression within the skilled ranks, as he loved a notable winner at that month’s Harvest Competition at Listowel. He gained aboard the Terence O’Brien-trained Magnor Glory, and simply three days later he steered Enniskerry to a Grade Three success for owner-trainer Barry Connell at Roscommon.

The link-up with Connell would show massively profitable that season, with the pair combining to land each the Royal Bond Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with Marine Nationale. Good Land was additionally a Grade One winner for the group on the Dublin Racing Competition.

O’Sullivan loved a day one double on the 2023 Cheltenham Competition, successful with Marine Nationale and Gordon Elliott’s Jazzy Matty within the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. He rounded off his breakthrough marketing campaign by being topped champion conditional in Eire with 32 winners.

In all, O’Sullivan rode 90 winners in Eire and 5 in Britain below guidelines, along with his most up-to-date big-race success coming aboard Embassy Gardens for champion coach Willie Mullins within the Grade Three New 12 months’s Day Chase at Tramore.

As a mark of respect, Sunday’s races at Punchestown have been cancelled, together with three point-to-point fixtures scheduled to happen in Eire. “Punchestown is not going to race immediately as a mark of respect to Michael O’Sullivan who has handed,” the race course confirmed. “His household, pals and racing colleagues are in our ideas and prayers. A really unhappy day. RIP.”