Cork jockey Michael O'Sullivan's short career will leave lasting impression
The late Michael O'Sullivan returns after winning on Be Fierce at Tramore on New Year's Day.
Just over three weeks ago I made the long journey from Cork to Down Royal for a midweek meeting at the Maze.
The opening race on that card saw victory for Putapoundinthejar in the Maiden Hurdle with Michael O’Sullivan aboard. Sadly this would be Michael's final winner in a short but striking career that left a lasting impression on those of us fortunate enough to witness so many magical moments.
The manner of that final victory for the stylish Lombardstown jockey, in essence, defined his unique talent and his approach to race riding. Michael sat patiently off a strong gallop up front and pounced with a perfectly timed run to collar Pour Les Filles in the dying embers - prevailing by a neck. It was a masterclass in timing and exemplified the very essence of precision.
Racing was very much embedded in Michael's DNA. His father William partnered Lovely Citizen to down the great Scottish Mare Dun Gay Lass in a thrilling finish to the 1991 Foxhunters Chase at Cheltenham. His uncle Eugene trained that winner and also masterminded the 2020 Cheltenham Hunter Chase victory for It Came To Pass, partnered by Michael’s cousin Maxine.
My first memory of racecourse joy for Michael was on the smart mare Wilscosdiana for his Uncle Eugene. His first victory under rules came in the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase at Cork on home soil on Easter Monday 2018. Jack Tyner.was the son of trainer Robert Tyner and Mary Tyner, who was hospitalised following a point-to-point in Dungarvan on February 2, 2011. He died five days later.
A year after his maiden rules victory Michael was crowned Champion U21 rider with 16 victories. In September 2022 Michael turned professional, his first winner in that guise aboard Dangan Des Champs. How appropriate that victory was for Robert and Mary Tyner in Sligo.
I was in Cheltenham when Michael enjoyed his finest hour aboard Marine Nationale.
Michael had pounced late on the same horse for a ground-breaking Grade One success in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse three months earlier. That 2023 Cheltenham festival got even better when he landed the Fred Winter on Jazzy Matty.
He started this year in whirlwind fashion aboard Willie Mullins' Embassy Gardens landing the New Year's Day feature at Tramore at the seaside venue.
The numbing eerie feeling we experienced leaving Thurles earlier this month after Michael's fall on Wee Charlie at the final fence in the Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase will be etched in our memories forever.
We sympathise with Michael's heartbroken family and colleagues, a charming uniquely gifted talented young man who plied his trade on the biggest stage of all.
His legacy is all too brief but he has left an indelible mark on the sport he loved and graced.
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