JOCKEYS and punters at Ludlow Racecourse held a minute’s silence in honour of Michael O’Sullivan.
The Irish rider, 24, was laid to rest at a tearful funeral in Cork on Wednesday following his tragic death last Sunday.
Michael O’Sullivan died last Sunday[/caption]
The Cheltenham Festival winner passed away ten days after suffering a horrendous fall off Wee Charlie at Thurles on February 6.
The tragic accident inspired a deluge of tributes from across the horse-racing world, including from Davy Russell, Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Rachael Blackmore.
And before a race at Ludlow Racecourse in the UK, a minute’s silence was held in his honour, pre-empted by a tribute read out over the PA system.
RacingTV tweeted a clip of the gesture to social media, having earlier posted a video package in his memory.
It was captioned: “Michael O’Sullivan was a rising star of the weighing room
“He was also a grandson, son, brother, nephew and cousin.
“Ahead of his funeral this afternoon, Racing TV remembers a young man taken far too soon & send our condolences to his family & friends.”
At its outset, narrator Nick Luck brands the tragic rider: “One of the most promising and prodigious talents we’ve seen for a long time”.
It’s plain to see why as footage of his most famous win onboard Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival immediately follows.
Barry Geraghty’s voice is later heard at one juncture with the Meath great labelling him ‘a brilliantly talented rider’.
The entire video lasts almost seven minutes in duration and left racing fans on the verge of tears by its finish.
Mourners gathered for his mass in St John the Baptist Church at Glantane, near Mallow, today, where his heartbroken dad said he was “much loved and will be missed”.
Crowds began to gather in the tiny village about two hours before the 12 noon mass.
Those attending the mass were told his family had to make “the most difficult decision of their life” to donate their son’s organs “so others might live”.
GUARD OF HONOUR
As well as figures from the world of racing, friends of the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider travelled from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Dubai.
Gifts brought up to the altar included his favorite pair of sunglasses, “to symbolise his love of life”, and his car keys, because he spent so much time in his car.
A Kilshannig Gaa jersey, to symbolise his love of GAA, and a set of headphones, to symbolise his love of music, were also laid before the altar.
Lining the entrance to the churchyard before the service was a guard of honour made up of about 50 members – aged between 7 and 18 – of Michael’s pony club, the Duhallow Pony Club where he won a number of awards.
Michael’s remains came from his home in Currabower, Lombardstown, to the church stopping enroute outside Glantane National School, where pupils formed another guard of honour.
As his coffin was being carried into the church, about 20 jockeys stood with heads bowed in a fitting tribute to their friend.
FAMOUS PALS
Commandant Claire Mortimer, of the Defence Forces, attended representing Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
Among the well known names attending the Mass were David Casey, Assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, Jockeys Charlie Swan who rode Istabraqu, Gold Cup Cheltenham winner Bobby Power and last years Gold Cup winner on Galloping Des Champs, Paul Townsend. On Saturday night trainers Aidan O’Brien, Jonathan O’Brien and Gordon Elliott all paid their respect to the young jockey and his family at his home where he was reposing.
Such was the interest among people wanting to attend that there were tailbacks of more than 5km forming from routes into the remote rural village from around 9.30am.
Michael, who would have celebrated his 25th birthday on Friday, is survived by his parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, and his partner Charlotte.
