The winning knight of the Cheltenham Michael O’Sullivan festival has died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall in Thurles on February 6, the Irish Handage Regulatory Board (IHRB) announced.
He was riding on the Wee Charlie for coach Gerard O’Leary and was one of the three drops on the last fence in two -mile competitions again February 20 Chase.
The rest of the meeting was abandoned as the air ambulance arrived to take O’Sullivan to the hospital, and later it was confirmed that he was being treated at the Intensive Care Unit at the Cork University Hospital, where he had remained since.
In a statement Sunday morning, IHRB said: “In the name of the O’Sullivan family, it is with deep sadness that IHRB confirms the passage of Michael O’Sullivan.
“IHRB directors and staff want to extend their sincere condolences to the family, partner, friends, colleagues in the weighing room and the wider community of racing at this time.”
O’Sullivan, widely considered one of the rising stars in the weighing room, led Marine National Towards Victory in the Novices Supreme Obstacle in Cheltenham in 2023 and scored in the same meeting last year with Jazzy Matty in The Boodles to Juvenile Handikap.
He rode 90 winners over dance in Ireland and five in Britain by just over 1,000 career trips.
Dr. Jennifer Pugh, IHRB medical chief, said: “Michael unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his beloved family at Cork University Hospital.
“We extend our assessment for multidisciplinary teams that provided the best medical care for Michael, both in the race and at the Cork University Hospital.
“Michael’s family made the decision to donate his organs at this very difficult time, but making a choice that will make a real change in the lives of other patients and their families.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Michael through his amateur and professional career and his dedication, modesty and good nature, always made him please be around.
“Michael’s success and his humility will have inspired a lot and I share the feeling of losing today with all those who knew him.”
Sunday’s meeting in Punchestown matches and Irish Point-to-Point in Knockanard, Nenagh and Tinhely have all been canceled as a sign of respect for Michael.
