Days after suffering injuries from a fall during a race, Irish rider Michael O’Sullivan passed away. He was twenty-four.
Following his fall in the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase on February 6, O’Sullivan was admitted to the hospital and placed in an induced coma. According to a press announcement from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, he passed away on Sunday, February 16, as a result of his injuries.
“Michael tragically died in Cork University Hospital early on Sunday morning, surrounded by his devoted family,” said Dr. Jennifer Pugh, IHRB Chief Medical Officer.
O’Sullivan’s family donated his organs, and Pugh said, “We extend our appreciation to the multidisciplinary teams who provided the best medical care to Michael, both on the racecourse and in Cork University Hospital.”
During the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase at Thurles Racecourse in Ireland, O’Sullivan was one of three jockeys to fall at the last fence, according to BBC Sports.
Just five days before his 25th birthday, the racer from Lombardstown in County Cork, Ireland, was taken to the hospital by air ambulance after receiving treatment on the track, according to the source.
O’Sullivan became a professional rider in September 2022 after winning the title of champion under 21 in 2019. According to BBC Sports, his career took off a year later when he and Marine Nationale won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
During his career, he rode 95 victories in Britain and Ireland. According to the UK publication The Guardian, he was named the champion conditional in Ireland with 32 wins and he won the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty.
“Throughout his amateur and professional careers, I have had the honor of getting to know Michael, and his commitment, humility, and gentle disposition have always made him a pleasure to be around,” Pugh said. “I share the sense of loss today with everyone who knew Michael, and his success and humility will have inspired many.”
According to the news release, Darragh O’Loughlin, CEO of the IHRB, said that Michael was a young rider with extraordinary potential who was always well-liked in the weighroom. Everyone in racing who had the pleasure of knowing Michael will miss him terribly.
O’Sullivan’s brother Alan and parents William and Bernadette survive him.
Due to the announcement of O’Sullivan’s passing, sporting activities scheduled for Sunday, February 16 in Punchestown and other sites in Ireland have been canceled.