Jockey Michael O’Sullivan remains in intensive care after being airlifted to Cork University Hospital on Thursday following a fall at Thurles races.
The 24-year-old Cheltenham Festival winner was injured after his mount Wee Charlie fell at the final fence in a handicap chase. Racing was abandoned at Thurles following O’Sullivan’s transfer to CUH by air ambulance.
On Friday, the atmosphere amongst Ireland’s jockeys was described as “very sombre” by the body that represents riders in this country.
The Irish Jockeys Association secretary, Andrew Coonan, a solicitor and former amateur rider, said the sport was pulling together to support O’Sullivan and his family.
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“It is very sombre. All the riders are upset, spanning right across to Michael’s colleagues that ride on the flat,” Coonan said. “Everyone is pulling together as best they can. But you can imagine there’s a lot of shock, a lot of upset.”
O’Sullivan was Ireland’s champion conditional jockey in the 2022-23 season when he rose to prominence particularly through a Day One Cheltenham Festival double.
Marine Nationale landed the Grade One Supreme Novices Hurdle for owner-trainer Barry Connell while Gordon Elliott’s Jazzy Matty won the Boodles Hurdle.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s chief medical officer, Dr Jennifer Pugh, reported on Friday: “Michael is in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital being treated for his injuries sustained at Thurles yesterday and is receiving the best medical care. Michael’s family wish to express their gratitude for all the well wishes.”
O’Sullivan, from Lombardstown near Mallow in Co. Cork graduated from University College Dublin in 2022 with a degree in Agricultural Science.
O’Sullivan’s father William was a noted amateur jockey, including winning the 1991 Foxhunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Lovely Citizen, a horse trained by his brother, Eugene.
Separately, there will be significant Irish interest at Exeter on Sunday when Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night and Fun Fun Fun from Willie Mullins’ yard travel for a Listed Mares Novice Chase. Gordon Elliott also has a pair of runners there.
Only By Night was an impressive winner of a Grade Two in Cork before Christmas but that means she has to concede 5lbs to her four opponents.
A year ago Fun Fun Fun travelled to Exeter to win a Listed hurdle on Sunday’s card and is back again after making an impressive debut over fences at Naas last month.
Patrick Mullins was on board on that occasion but JJ Slevin, appointed as No. 1 rider to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede last month, takes over this time. It will be his first ride at Exeter.
Before that Slevin will be fancied to score for the “Double Green” team in Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase when teaming up with Matata.
The impressive Windsor winner is favourite following the defection of top novice Sir Gino due to a minor leg problem.
“He was very good in Windsor and he’s been a hard-knocking horse. He was a good novice last year and progressed away through handicaps in the autumn, so he’s on the upgrade,” Slevin said.
Danny Mullins will be on duty at Warwick on Saturday to ride Gala Marceau in a Listed hurdle.
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