A dramatic incident occurred at the County Tipperary track of Thurles on Thursday afternoon. Whilst the opening event on the card passed without incident, havoc unfolded at the end of the second.
Five horses came down at the final fence of that Beginners Chase affair. All five horses and four of the jockeys escaped relatively unscathed, but that wasn’t the case for Grade 1 winning rider Michael O’Sullivan. Left prone on the track following the fall, the jockey was later airlifted from the course. The remaining five races on the Thurles card were cancelled following the worrying incident.
Carnage in Beginners Chase
All appeared to be going to plan for O’Sullivan as the field moved into the home straight of the Racing Again February 20th Handicap Chase. Travelling nicely aboard the 6/5f, Wee Charlie, the 25-year-old jockey had begun to launch his challenge up the stands rail. But how quickly things can change.
Having misjudged the final fence, Wee Charlie came down, alongside fellow fallers Kazakh d’Artel and Andyourbirdcansing, whilst Baltinglass Hill and Get It Right unseated their riders in the chaos.
Fallers in the 2:00 Thurles on the 6th February
| Number | Horse (SP) | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Wee Charlie (6/5) | Michael O’Sullivan | Gerard O’Leary |
| 8 | Andyourbirdcansing (22/1) | Daniel King | John Patrick Ryan |
| 2 | Kazakh d’Arthel (16/1) | Sean Flanagan | Gavin Cromwell |
| 10 | Baltinglass Hill (17/2) | Tiernan Power Roche | P J Rothwell |
| 9 | Get It Right (66/1) | Phillip Enright | Sean Aherne |
As the dust cleared on the unsettling events, all five horses were soon back on their feet, as were Daniel King, Sean Flanagan, Tiernan Power Roche, and Philip Enright. However, it soon became clear that O’Sullivan required urgent medical attention.
Air Ambulance Arrives
Initially attended to by the on-course medical staff, the stricken rider was later taken by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital, with the decision taken to abandon the remainder of the meeting.
Racing abandoned at Thurles after air ambulance called following Michael O’Sullivan fall https://t.co/2hA5n7jkFC
— Irish Independent Sport (@IndoSport) February 6, 2025
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board later released a statement outlining the incident and the decision to abandon the remaining five races:
“Michael was treated by the medical team on track prior to the air ambulance arriving. Due to the ongoing medical situation at the time, the raceday stewards made the decision to abandon the remainder of the card. Michael was stabilised prior to being transferred by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital.”
Friday Update: O’Sullivan in Intensive Care
Whilst the precise nature of O’Sullivan’s injuries remains unclear, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board chief medical officer, Dr Jennnifer Pugh, issued an update on Friday afternoon, stating:
“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.”
Huge Talent in the Saddle
Michael O’Sullivan is best known for his partnership with trainer Barry Connell. During his time as the number one jockey to the County Kildare handler, O’Sullivan picked up three Grade 1 victories – all during a golden 2022/23 campaign.
Successful aboard Marine Nationale in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, he then partnered the same horse to his most famous success in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Sandwiched between those victories, he partnered Good Land to victory in a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Having enjoyed such success with Connell, it was a shock when the trainer and jockey announced they would go their separate ways in November 2024. Whilst that marked a disappointing end to a fruitful partnership, it also opened up a new chapter for the rider.
Following his departure from the number one job at the Barry Connell operation, O’Sullivan was regularly called upon by Willie Mullins, for whom he partnered Embassy Gardens to victory in the Grade 3 O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey New Year’s Day Chase.
To be recognised by the leading trainer in the sport is a fine testament to his ability on horseback. All in the racing community send their best wishes to O’Sullivan, in the hope that he pulls through and makes a full recovery.