Michael O'Sullivan will be honoured at Cork Easter Festival in Mallow

Michael O’Sullivan will be remembered at the Cork Easter Festival with the three-mile chase on Easter Sunday to be run in his memory. 

It will be the featured race on the middle day of the three-day Easter Festival and will be staged as the Michael O’Sullivan Chase on Easter Sunday, April 20. He rode his first-ever winner under rules at Cork Racecourse Mallow seven years ago at the 2018 Easter Festival on Wilcosdiana, trained by his uncle Eugene. 

Michael stole the show at Cork Racecourse on Easter Sunday two years ago with a spectacular treble. He won on Mister Policeman and Aione for the master of Closutton Willie Mullins. His third winner that day was aboard L’yser for Barry Connell. 

That treble came just a few weeks after his memorable double at Cheltenham.

Eoghan O’Grady, general manager, Cork Racecourse Mallow, said: “Michael was greatly admired by the local community, and it is only fitting that we continue to remember him at his local racecourse. 

"We are delighted to host the Michael O’Sullivan Chase on one of our biggest racing days and we look forward to welcoming Michael’s family and friends on the day. It will also be a special day for Michael’s weigh room colleagues." 

Bar One Racing are on board as sponsors.

“Our sincere thanks go to Barney O’Hare of Bar One Racing for his assistance and for generously allowing us to rename the race in Michael’s honour." 

CEO of Barney One Racing Barney O’Hare is thrilled to be on board.

He hopes all the leading trainers will support the race in memory of such a popular young man. 

STEEPED

The O’Sullivan family are steeped in National Hunt Racing and the world of point-to-point racing. 

Eugene won the Hunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on two occasions one partnered by his brother William (Lovely Citizen 1991) and the other ridden by his daughter Maxine (It Came To Pass 2020).

The late North Cork jockey was honoured at the recent Cheltenham Festival with the opening race the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle run in his memory. That race went to Cork-owned Kopek Des Bordes sparking off emotional and poignant scenes with the trophy presented to Fermoy owner Charlie McCarthy by Michael's uncle Eugene and Alan, his brother. 

Alan was among the winners at Cork recently when he partnered a winner for Patrick Foley at the recent Student Race Day.

Michael O’Sullivan suffered a horrific fall at Thurles in February. He spent 10 days in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital and sadly died from his injuries.

His loss left the tightly knit racing community in a period of shock, deep mourning and ongoing sadness. He remains very much in the thoughts of Irish racegoers.