Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) led the many tributes from within the sport to Michael O’Sullivan of Lombards-town, the young jockey who died in Cork University Hospital at the weekend following injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 6th. He would have turned 25 on this Friday.
Suzanne Eade, CEO of (HRI), said: “My HRI colleagues and I share in the sadness of everyone at Sunday 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 7lbs claiming amateur and ended the term as our champion conditional jockey with three Grade 1 winners to his name.”
She continued: “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.”
The CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, Darragh O’Loughlin, paid tribute to Mr O’Sullivan, describing him as an “exceptionally talented young rider.”
“Michael will be deeply missed by everyone in racing who had the pleasure of knowing him,” he said.
The Chief Medical Officer of the IHRB, Dr. Jennifer Pugh, also paid tribute.
She said: “I have had the privilege of knowing Michael through his amateur and professional career and his dedication, modesty and kind nature always made him a pleasure to be around. Michael’s success and humility will have inspired many and I share the feeling of loss today with all those who knew him.
“We extend our appreciation to the multidisciplinary teams who provided the best of medical care to Michael, both on the racecourse and in Cork University Hospital.
“Michael’s family took the decision to donate his organs at this incredibly difficult time, but in doing so made a choice that will make a real difference to the lives of other patients and their families.
Dr. Pugh concluded: “Michael’s family would like to reiterate their gratefulness for all the support they have received in the last couple of days, and express their appreciation to the local community and racing family.”

Legendary jockey Barry Geragthy said: “He was just such a lovely, kind person. Very humble, quietly spoken, very intelligent, well-educated, you know he stayed on in college and did an Honours Degree in Agricultural Science. He’d a lovely way about him.”
“The weigh room is a broken place because of that, they’ve lost such a beautiful person. Anyone who had the pleasure of Michael’s company or any dealings with him found him that way.”
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, fellow jockey Jane Mangan said Michael had “so many credentials racked up for a guy who was so young.”
She said: “You knew whatever pressure that was going to be put on his shoulders, he was ready for it. There was no worry with Michael. He was just a natural.”

Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers Pay their Respects.
Outside of sporting circles, many others offered tributes.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing him as a “talented rider who inspired many.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said that he was “an incredible talent taken so young.”
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, whose department governs the sport, said: “Michael was not only an immensely talented young rider but was also extremely popular amongst his colleagues. His untimely death has devastated the horse racing community in Ireland and beyond.”
He added that his “thoughts and prayers are with the O’Sullivan family, especially his parents Bernadette and William, his brother Alan and his wide circle of friends at this very sad time.”
Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan said: “Like everyone else, I was saddened to learn on Sunday morning that Michael had passed away.”
“It is always a source of sadness when we learn of the passing of national sporting heroes, but to learn that someone so young has so tragically died doing what he loved is really harrowing.
“To his family, friends, and the racing fraternity, on my own behalf and my department, can I offer my sincere condolences on his loss. May he rest in peace.”
Local TD John Paul O’Shea said the young jockey was very much part of the local community and will be missed greatly. “He had a talent for racing that he was brought up in, but made it his own,” he said. “His achievements and his presence will live long in our memories.”
In all, Michael rode 90 winners in Ireland and five in Britain (including a day one double at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival) under rules, with his most recent big-race success coming aboard Embassy Gardens for champion trainer Willie Mullins in the Grade Three New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore.
Michael came from a renowned point-to-point family, with his father William a former amateur rider (who won at Cheltenham), uncle Eugene, a Champion Handler, cousin Maxine a Cheltenham Festival winner, while his younger brother Alan has also joined the riding ranks.
He made an immediate impact on his first full season in the saddle, while also studying for his Leaving Certificate.
A year later and the UCD student was crowned Champion U21 rider with a personal best 16 wins.
In September 2022, Michael joined the professional ranks.
Before joining the main ranks of the sport, he began riding ponies as a kid with the Duhallow Hunt Pony Club, as well as hunting.
He also enjoyed showjumping and event-ing including dressage.
He travelled the country showjumping with his father William.
Michael found his pathway to the promised land on the point-to-point circuit and was crowned champion novice rider in 2019.
As a mark of respect, the fixture at Punchestown and Point to Point fixtures on Sunday were cancelled as is the fixture at Thurles today.
Michael was laid to rest in St. John’s Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St. John The Baptist Church, Glantane on Wednesday.
Michael is sadly missed by his heartbroken parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, grandmother Mary, his partner Charlotte and extended family and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.