Michael O'Sullivan got send-off he deserved, he was a great jockey and an even better person
Jockey Michael O'Sullivan celebrates on Marine Nationale after winning at Cheltenham. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Jockey Michael O’Sullivan would have celebrated his 25th birthday today, but in a devasting turn of events, he was laid to rest in the village of Glantane at lunch-time on Wednesday.
Thousands visited the north Cork village to pay their respects for a jockey destined for the top and a family steeped in national hunt racing.
The Cheltenham-winning rider lost his battle for life on Sunday morning following a fall at Thurles racecourse on February 6.
Following the funeral mass which was celebrated by the local parish priest Fr Coleman, the funeral cortege travelled the short distance to St John's Cemetery where Michael was laid to rest.
Before the Mass began his father William made an inspirational speech outlining the various stages of his son's career, the family’s gratitude to the medical team at CUH, local community and the wider racing family for their unwavering help and support during this dark time.
The church was packed from early morning and hundreds more huddled together under umbrellas to pay tribute to one of the rising stars of jump racing.
A huge community effort made this heartfelt send-off possible and it was good for the soul to witness such community spirit.
As I made my way to the funeral mass on Wednesday morning, passing the point-to-point tracks at Dromahane and Mallow racecourse en route, it brought my mind back to that incredible day less than two years ago when Marine Nationale and Michael O’Sullivan stormed to victory in the opening Supreme Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
It was a brilliant ride and timed to perfection. In recent days we learned that O’Sullivan had seen two of the greatest ever Cheltenham pilots Charlie Swan and Ruby Walsh casually chatting that morning and decided to approach them for advice.
Don’t go too soon is the golden rule at the home of jump racing and O’Sullivan timed his run to perfection to announce himself in the theatre of dreams. A star was born.
Following that famous victory, I had arranged to meet Michael outside the weighroom after the presentation formalities were completed.
Within an hour he completed a double as Jazzy Matty won the Fred Winter with another text book ride from the pride of Duhallow and Cork.
That was an amazing day and I recall speaking with his beloved uncle Eugene that afternoon and he spoke with such pride about his nephew who had climbed the Everest of jump racing and made it to the winners' podium at Cheltenham just like his father William had done all those years ago on Lovely Citizen in the Hunters Chase in 1991.
During a beautiful eulogy, William began by thanking the general public for all their messages of support wishing Michael would recover also saying: “We saw the true meaning of community this week as we wanted to bring Michael home.
"A huge thanks goes out to so many people including the Gardai, Lombardstown Community Council, Ger O’Leary, Irene and Fergus O’Connor and all the volunteers who helped over these few days.
"He enjoyed a brilliant run when he turned professional and the success himself and Marine Nationale had together were memorable days.
"We wish the connections of Marine the best of luck at Cheltenham. Michael spread his wings in recent times seeking out new opportunities in England and France.
"After winning a race in France last summer he was able to conduct his winning interview in fluent French much to the delight of his mother and grandmother who had encouraged his education. He started off the new year with a double at Tramore which he was thrilled about.
"Finally, I would like to wish all fellow jockeys all the best for the future.”
Unfortunately, we have had a number of tragedies in recent years in the sport we love.
Horse racing is a high-risk sport and sadly the racing family has once again endured unspeakable grief with one of Cork’s great racing families.
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