MICHAEL O’Sullivan, the 24-year-old National Hunt jockey, has died.

The heartbreaking news arrived at 7am on Sunday through a statement issued on behalf of the O'Sullivan family by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

His untimely death follows a tragic last-fence fall at Thurles Racecourse on Thursday, February 6th. The incident led to O’Sullivan being airlifted to Cork University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Dr Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer of the IHRB, said: “Michael sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving family in Cork University Hospital. 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.

“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.

"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. The O’Sullivan family have asked for privacy at this time.”

As a mark of respect to Michael, the fixture at Punchestown today and the point-to-point fixtures Avondu (F) Knockanard, North Tipperary (F) Nenagh and Bray (H) Tinahely have all been cancelled.

The directors and staff of the IHRB expressed their sincere condolences to Michael’s family, partner, friends, his colleagues in the weighroom and the wider racing community at this time.

Darragh O’Loughlin, CEO of the IHRB, added: “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.”

Born in Lombardstown, Co Cork, Michael hailed from a family deeply rooted in National Hunt racing.

His father, William O’Sullivan, achieved fame by winning the 1991 Foxhunters at Cheltenham aboard Lovely Citizen, a horse owned and bred by Michael’s grandfather, Owen, and trained by his uncle, Eugene.

Michael's younger brother Alan is a well-regarded amateur rider who shared the point-to-point Western Region title last season, and their cousin Maxine O'Sullivan has been champion lady rider in point-to-points seven times and is also a Cheltenham Festival winner.

As a child, Michael participated in pony club activities with the Duhallow Hunt. He further honed his skills through show jumping and eventing, experiences that laid a solid foundation for his future career. His dedication and talent were evident early on, leading him to become the champion novice point-to-point rider in 2019.

Balancing academics with his passion for racing, Michael pursued a degree in Agricultural Science at University College Dublin, graduating in May 2022.

Reflecting on this period, he acknowledged the importance of education, stating, “Racing is a short career and volatile, so it’s important I’ve a good education behind me that I can fall back on.”

It was during that same month, May 2022, that Michael called owner-trainer Barry Connell, asking for the ride on a newcomer in a Punchestown bumper. It turned out to be a winner and the horse, Marine Nationale, would catapult both jockey and trainer into the headlines when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Incredibly, Michael rode a second Cheltenham winner on the same day by partnering the Gordon Elliott-trained Jazzy Matty to victory in the Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Phenomenal talent

By this time Michael had turned professional and he seemed destined for a stellar career. He made an immediate impact, winning a valuable handicap hurdle at the 2022 Listowel Festival on Magnor Glory for trainer Terence O’Brien.

His balance and intelligence in the saddle saw him compared to a young Charlie Swan or Ruby Walsh.

He ended the 2022/’23 season as champion claiming professional rider, the Barry Connell-trained Good Land giving him another Grade 1 success at Leopardstown that season.

Top trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott regularly availed of his talents. On January 1st this year Michael won the Grade 3 New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore on the Mullins-trained Embassy Gardens. The champion trainer allowed Michael to keep the ride on the horse in the Irish Gold Cup the following month.

He rode 25 Irish winners in the 2023/’24 season and had already ridden 14 Irish winners this season, along with two in Britain and one in France, where he had begun to establish good contacts. His final winner was Putapoundinthejar at Down Royal on January 21st.

Overall he rode a total of 71 winners on the track in Ireland as a professional and a further 19 as an amateur.

A bright star whose potential was boundless, his premature passing has left the racing community in shock. His contributions to the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of witnessing his talent.