Irish jockey dies aged 24 after horror fall

The Cork native was involved in a five-horse pile-up last week.

The 24-year-old was riding Wee Charlie for trainer Gerard O'Leary and was one of three fallers at the final fence in the two-mile Racing Again Handicap Chase on 6 February.

Racing was abandoned in Thurles on the day following the fall, and Mr O'Sullivan had been in intensive care in Cork University Hospital since the incident.

In a statement, the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board announced that the youngster had died in the early hours of this morning.

On behalf of the O’Sullivan family, it is with profound sadness that the IHRB confirms the passing of Michael O’Sullivan pic.twitter.com/LIo58toZpy

— IHRB (@ihrb_ie) February 16, 2025

The CEO of the Irish Horse Racing 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 to Mr O'Sullivan saying that his "dedication, modesty and kind nature always made him a pleasure to be around.

"Michael's success and his humility will have inspired many and I share the feeling of loss today with all those who knew him," she added.

O'Sullivan started off his riding career on the point-to-point circuit and was crowned champion under-21 rider in 2019.

His first win under rules came at Cork in 2018 when he guided Wilcosdiana, trained by his uncle, Eugene, to a 47-length victory in a hunter chase, and he turned professional in September 2022.

O'Sullivan enjoyed a day one double at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, and rounded off his breakthrough campaign by being crowned champion conditional in Ireland with 32 winners that year.

In all, O'Sullivan rode 90 winners in Ireland and five in Britain 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.