THE world of horse racing and beyond has been mourning the tragic loss of Michael O'Sullivan since his death in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Tributes to the 24-year-old have been pouring in through the day, and details of his funeral have been published.

The popular rider's death notice on RIP.ie reads: "On Sunday, February 16th, 2025 after a trojan battle to recover from injuries sustained in a fall, Michael died peacefully a few days short of his 25th birthday, surrounded by his heartbroken parents Bernie (née Goulding) and William, brother Alan, partner Charlotte and extended family.

"Michael had accomplished so much in his short life. As a family we are so incredibly proud not only of his achievements in the saddle, but of the extraordinary young man he had become.

"He was full of kindness, integrity, ambition and love, always striving to be the best person he could be.

"Michael will be very sadly missed by Bernie, William, Alan, grandmother "Granny Mary", aunts, uncles, cousins, Charlotte, his many friends as well as his weigh room colleagues and the wider racing community. May Michael Rest in Peace."

O'Sullivan will repose at Currabower, Glantane, Mallow (P51 HH93) on Tuesday afternoon from 2:00pm to 7:00pm, followed by prayers. Reception into St. John the Baptist Church, Glantane on Wednesday morning for Requiem Mass at 12 noon, after which Michael will be laid to rest in St. John's Cemetery, Glantane, Mallow.

A selection of tributes to Michael O'Sullivan

Willie Mullins

“It’s dreadful news which puts all our problems into context. He will be much missed here and there is a real sadness over the whole of Closutton today. He was here two mornings a week and was very much a part of the team at Closutton and his part here was only going to get bigger. He was such a natural rider who was very modest, friendly and understated.

“He had a great understanding of horses and racing and given the horse, he was the man. I think Closutton will be a much poorer place without him and we, as a family, will miss him. He will be much missed in the yard and we have his family in our thoughts and our prayers are for them now.”

Barry Connell

“He was a bright, rising star as a jockey and we were lucky to have had a very close association with him. Everybody in the yard is devastated. He was such a lovely personality to have around the place, he fitted in really well. He was widely liked by his colleagues and everyone who met him.

“He didn’t work full time for us, he came in three days a week and he had other connections he rode for after he turned professional, but he was a pleasure to have around the place and everyone got on really well with him. I think everyone in racing is stunned today and all we can do is express our sympathy to his parents, William and Bernadette, and his brother, Alan. He will be sadly missed.

“I think his legacy will be that he was an inspiration to a lot of the younger lads coming behind that somebody with the talent like his can, given the opportunities, rise to the top. I think that’s a brilliant legacy for him to have.”

Gordon Elliott

“It’s a terrible tragedy for racing and today is about remembering Michael. We had some great moments on track together, including when winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. We send our deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Micheál Martin, An Taoiseach

“Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of jockey Michael O’Sullivan. A talented rider who inspired many. My sincere sympathies go to Michael’s family, his friends and colleagues in the racing world.”

Simon Harris, An Tánaiste

“Such sad news this morning. I know people across our country are thinking of the family of Michael O’Sullivan this morning and of the wider racing family. An incredible talent taken so young. Keeping his family in my prayers at this extraordinarily painful time for them all.”

Dr Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer of the IHRB

“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 his humility will have inspired many and I share the feeling of loss today with all those who knew him.”

Darragh O’Loughlin, CEO of the IHRB

“Michael was an exceptionally talented young rider who was always popular in the weighroom. Michael will be deeply missed by everyone in racing who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our hearts go out to Michael’s family, especially his parents Bernadette and William and his brother Alan, who will feel his loss most keenly.”

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland

“My HRI colleagues and I share in the sadness of everyone at this 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.

“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.”

Barry Geraghty

“It is such a sad day for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Michael, he was such a kind, caring and considerate person, not to mention a brilliantly talented jockey. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time. RIP.”

A.P. McCoy

“Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news of Michael O’Sullivan’s passing. A dedicated and very talented young man taken far too young. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends at this heartbreaking time.”

Andrew Coonan, secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague, Michael. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his father, William, his mother, Bernadette, his brother, Alan and girlfriend, Charlotte.

“Jockeys face the risks of race riding every day, but it is only when a tragedy like this befalls us that those full risks are truly realised. Michael was not only a highly talented rider but also a great friend and colleague to many in the weighroom.

“We are all the richer for having known him, even though his time with us was far too short. May Michael Rest in Peace.”

Noel George

“He was going to be a future star who has been taken from us far too early, but most importantly he was a great person and great person to be around and just an all-round good guy. On behalf of all the French racing community, we would like to send our sympathies and condolences to all his friends and family. We are all thinking of them and they are the people who made Michael into the great person he was and our thoughts are with them.”

Harry Cobden

“Absolutely devastating news about Michael O’Sullivan. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace.”

Paddy Brennan

“Michael O’Sullivan, God bless you always. You left us far too soon. On the 6th of February at 2pm Michael left the weighting room in Thurles to ride Wee Charlie in a handicap chase. You were a hero, extremely intelligent and a beautiful young man. RIP”

Tony Mullins

“Michael was a lovely person and he also had a massive talent. He will always be remembered as a winner. RIP.”

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority

“I was devastated to learn of the death of Michael O’Sullivan earlier today and speak for all involved in British racing when I say that our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this awful time.

“The bonds between the British and Irish racing communities are deep and this unspeakable tragedy will doubtless have a profound impact on many people on both sides of the Irish Sea. This has been an extremely difficult week for many in the racing family; support is available and I would urge anybody who feels they need this to reach out to their employer or representative body.”

Irish Injured Jockeys

“We at IIJ are deeply saddened at the passing today of Michael O'Sullivan. Michael was a humble young man with a bright future in our sport. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends and racing colleagues to whom we pledge our continued support at this incredibly difficult time.”

Lydia Hislop

“Tragic news about a fine young man and immensely talented rider. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

Riona Molony, on behalf of the Molony Family, Thurles Racecourse

“It is with deep sadness that on behalf of the Molony family, I express our profound sorrow following the tragic loss of jockey Michael O'Sullivan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.

“Our family feels an immense sense of sadness and loss. Michael was not only a remarkable jockey but also a beloved member of the racing community. His passion for the sport and his kindness will be deeply missed.

“Today, we are all united in grief and we hope Michael's family can find some comfort in the outpouring of love from the racing world and beyond. Our family will continue to pray for Michael's loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

Professional Jockeys Association of Britain

“The PJA and its members are heartbroken to hear that jockey Michael O’Sullivan has died following injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles. Michael was a very talented, popular rider and, with the weighing room being such a close-knit community, his passing will leave a profound sense of loss in Britain as well as Ireland. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family and friends, his weighing-room colleagues and the Irish racing community.”

Harry Skelton

“Absolutely devastating news to hear Michael O’Sullivan has passed away. My thoughts are with his family, friends. When you go that door to race you all want to come back in it together, his peg now sits empty for all the wrong reasons, thinking of all the Irish weighing room.”

Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

“On behalf of everyone in the ITBA we are extremely saddened to hear of Michael’s passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family, and all his friends and colleagues. Michael was a respected and gifted horseman. May he rest in peace.”

Kevin Blake

"How utterly cruel life can be. It is hard to comprehend what Michael’s family, friends and colleagues are going through. RIP Michael O’Sullivan."

Paul Hensey, CEO of the Association of Irish Racecourses

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of jockey Michael O'Sullivan's passing in the early hours of this morning. This heartbreaking loss has cast a long shadow over our entire racing community. On behalf of the Association of Irish Racecourses, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Michael’s family.

“Michael was not only a talented jockey but also a cherished member of the horse racing family. His dedication to the sport and his unwavering passion for racing inspired many. We extend our deepest sympathies to Michael’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.

“The loss of a life so vibrant and full of promise is felt deeply across all 26 Irish racecourses, the wider racing community and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's loved ones and his many friends and colleagues.”

Paul Nicholls

"Everyone here in Ditcheat is heartbroken at the terrible news of Michael O’Sullivan. Our thoughts and prayers are with all his family, friends and colleagues in this incredibly sad time. RIP."

Irish National Hunt Steeplechase CLG

"The Directors and members of the INHSC wish to extend their sincere condolences to Michael's family, relatives, friends and the wider racing community.

"As well as being a talented and dedicated rider who never forgot his point-to-point roots, Michael was a very kind and caring young man and will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dills."

The Jockey Club

"We are all extremely saddened to learn of the death of Michael O'Sullivan, a talented young jockey with an infectious enthusiasm for racing who had already been successful at the very highest level."