Michael O’Sullivan tragically passed away last month (Image: Getty)
Michael O’Sullivan is set to be honoured at this year’s after he tragically passed away following a horror racing accident last month. The promising young jockey was widely viewed as National Hunt’s next superstar, having already enjoyed plenty of success at some of racing’s biggest meetings.
The 24-year-old died after sustaining injuries following a fall at Thurles on February 6, when his mount, Wee Charlie, was one of three fallers at the final fence of a two-mile handicap chase. O’Sullivan was airlifted to hospital but passed away 10 days later.
Express Sport takes a look at the sensational jockey who has gone too soon…
How will he be remembered this year?
It was announced last month by the Jockey Club and Sky Bet that the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival 2025 would be renamed to honour O’Sullivan. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle will kick off the four-day meeting on Tuesday March 11 and will be named The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Following the announcement, the O’Sullivan family said: “As a family, we have always admired Michael’s achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way. The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives. We would like to sincerely thank The Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael’s memory and celebrate his remarkable career.”
Marine Nationale provided O’Sullivan with his first Cheltenham Festival winner (Image: Getty)
How long was he a jockey for?
O’Sullivan came through the racing ranks in the point-to-point circuit and was quickly recognised for his talents as a teenager. He was crowned champion jockey in the sphere, aged 21, in 2019. Three years later, O’Sullivan turned professional before truly bursting onto the scene with two victories at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
How many Cheltenham winners did O’Sullivan have?
O’Sullivan won two races at the Cheltenham Festival, with both of his successes coming on the opening day of the 2023 meeting. He kicked off proceedings with a remarkable success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the race which will be named after him this year, when cruising to victory on 9/2 shot Marine Nationale.
He then made it a double on the day when steering Gordon Elliott’s Jazzy Matty to victory at odds of 18/1 in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, timing his run to perfection to land the spoils by a neck.
Jazzy Matty was an 18/1 victor in the 2023 Boodles (Image: Getty)
Will Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty run this year?
Both of O’Sullivan’s previous victors are set to race this year, and there won’t be a dry eye in the house if either replicates their respective 2023 successes. Marine Nationale is towards the top end of the market for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while Jazzy Matty will bid for glory in the HANDICAP.