Kildare trainer pays tribute to Michael O'Sullivan

KILDARE trainer Barry Connell says all in his stables in Gorteen, Nurney are "devastated" after the news of death of jockey Michael O’Sullivan was confirmed early on Sunday.

Mr O’Sullivan suffered a fall in a race at Thurles on 6 February and remained in intensive care in Cork University Hospital until he sadly passed away.

“It’s shocking news,” said Mr Connell.

“The accident happened ten days ago but we’ve been keeping in close touch. The news has been coming and going but for the last couple of days I think everybody has been fearing the worst.

“We woke on Sunday to the shocking news that Michael had passed away, A bright shining star of jumps racing has been just snuffed out.” Although from Lombardstown just outside Mallow in Cork, Mr O’Sullivan had strong links to Kildare and was a regular sight on the gallops around the Curragh. As well as Mr Connell, Mr O’Sullivan rode for Kildare-based trainers such as Tony Martin, Ted Walsh and Ger O’Leary and had winners at both Punchestown and Naas.

He was regarded as one of Ireland’s best up-and-coming jockeys but undoubtedly his best day in the saddle came at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival when he teamed up with Mr Connell to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Marine Nationale.

Mr O’Sullivan’s family are immersed in racing and when winning at the Cheltenham Festival he was following in the footsteps of his father William and sister Maxine who both rode winners there on horses bred by his uncle Eugene.

“He was very professional, a great sense of humour, a lovely chap to deal with, we are all devastated here in the yard,” said Mr Connell.