'The build up is like Christmas': Cork people take to the pub to tune into Cheltenham 

With the late Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan in the thoughts of everyone, Leesiders yesterday gathered in pubs across Cork to watch the start of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Echo visited Quinlan’s Bar in Blackpool to sample a taste of the atmosphere as punters watched the opening day of one of the showpiece weeks of the year in horse racing.

The first race of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival was renamed in tribute to Lombardstown jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who tragically passed away last month at the age of just 24 following a fall at a race in Thurles.

It was somewhat fitting that Kopek Des Bordes won this Cheltenham opener, with owner Charlie McCarthy from Fermoy and jockey Paul Townend from Lisgoold both emotional after the win in a race named after their great friend.

Conor Quinlan, owner of Quinlan’s Bar in Blackpool, said Mr O’Sullivan’s passing marks a sad time for the sport. “I have been following horse racing a long time. He (Michael) was a super intelligent jockey and person.

“He played a good bit of GAA for Kilshannig. It was just a tragedy for the horse racing community.”

On an overall level the spirits were high, even if not many people were making a profit from the bookmakers.

Regardless, several customers told The Echo that Cheltenham week is without question one of the highlights in their annual calendar.

For Mr Quinlan, Cheltenham Festival is one of the busiest weeks of the year in his pub.

“The build up to Cheltenham is like Christmas. The Tuesday of Cheltenham is always good.

“There is always a nice buzz around and excitement. It is just a good fun week altogether.”

The punters gathered in Quinlan’s Bar from early on in the day, with breakfast served before the racing commences each day. Food is also served in the pub at the end of each race day of the festival, with live music in the evenings.

“We look forward to it every year,” said Shane Foley from Blackpool, one of the many regulars who returns to watch Cheltenham in Quinlan’s annually.

“I come here every year. This is my 14th year coming.

“It is the most important horse racing meeting of the year and everybody loves Cheltenham.”