Cork jockey Alan O'Sullivan lands prestigious race in memory of his brother 

There were poignant scenes at Fairyhouse as Lombardstown jockey Alan O'Sullivan landed the Michael O'Sullivan and Lorna Brooke Ireland v Britain Qualified Riders Challenge Handicap Chase aboard Hitthehayson. 

This year's race was staged in memory of Lorna Brooke and Alan's late brother, Michael O'Sullivan. Both had great associations with Fairyhouse and this particular race.

Hitthehayson, trained in Meath by Ian Donoghue, provided Alan O'Sullivan with an extra special winner at a bitterly cold Fairyhouse. O'Sullivan kept it simple, sitting second behind the perennial front-runner Kilashee for much of the contest on the testing ground. He led at the second last and went for his race at this point. 

His mount Hitthehayson gave generously and stayed on strongly on the run to the line to fend off the well-backed 6/4 favourite Duffy's Hodey, who was partnered by another Cork jockey Cal Shine. Cork jockeys filled the first three places as Alan's cousin Maxine O’Sullivan finished third on Decimation for trainer Eric McNamara.

Speaking to Racing TV after, he reflected on a decidedly emotional victory.

"All the family are here and it means a lot to us. It’s very good of Fairyhouse and Peter Roe to put the race on. It’s probably the first time we have all been together since the month’s mind mass, so it means a lot."

Lorna Brooke died in April 2021 following the effects of a heavy fall at Taunton. Lombardstown jockey Michael O'Sullivan had been on board Wee Charlie in a handicap chase at Thurles back in February and was severely injured after being one of three fallers at the final fence. 

Michael O'Sullivan had won the inaugural running of the Lorna Brooke Ireland v Britain QR Challenge Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse in 2021. He partnered Robert Tyner's Direct Image to victory that day at the Meath venue. 

Little did we realise that Michael would also lose his life like Lorna Brooke at the sport they both loved.

The late Lorna Brooke had created her own piece of history at Fairyhouse ten years ago. She became the first rider to win a chase exclusively for female jockeys in Ireland. She partnered 25/1 chance Moonlone Lane to land the Today FM Ladies Handicap Chase. 

It came at a juncture when both Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry were still riding. They were part of a star-studded field that also included British conditional jockey Lizzie Kelly.

The winner had to overcome a number of issues. This was his chasing debut but he'd reportedly schooled well. He was also stepping up in distance on the testing ground. 

The emotional scenes afterwards illuminated Fairyhouse and provided poignant memories for an exceedingly popular family steeped in National Hunt Racing.