Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies after fall at Thurles

Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan, 24, has died after suffering a fall at Thurles on 6 February.

Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan has died after suffering a fall at Thurles, Republic of Ireland, earlier this month.

The 24-year-old had been in an induced coma in intensive care at Cork University Hospital since the incident during racing on 6 February.

"Michael sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving family in Cork University Hospital," said the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's (IHRB) chief medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh.

"We extend our appreciation to the multidisciplinary teams who provided the best of medical care to Michael, both on the racecourse and in Cork University Hospital.

"Michael's family would like to reiterate their gratefulness for all the support they have received in the last couple of days and express their appreciation to the local community and racing family. The O'Sullivan family have asked for privacy at this time."

O'Sullivan had been riding Wee Charlie for Gerard O'Leary when he was one of three fallers at the final fence in the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase.

He was treated on the track at Thurles before being transferred by air ambulance to hospital. The meeting was abandoned following the incident.

O'Sullivan recorded his first win under rules at Cork in 2018 and turned professional in September 2022.

He gained prominence in 2023 with victories in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale and the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty. He also became Ireland’s champion conditional jockey.

Over his career, he rode 95 winners in Ireland and Britain, including 14 in Ireland and two in Britain this season.

As a mark of respect, Sunday's fixture at Punchestown and the point-to-point fixtures in Ireland have been cancelled.